Lennon stays upbeat

Neil Lennon is determined not to be affected by what he claims is the “overwhelming negativity” of Scottish football as his Celtic side surge towards the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.

The Hoops are 19 points clear of Motherwell at the top of the standings and on course to clinch the championship next month.

However, aside from European nights during their exciting journey to the last-16 of the Champions League, in which they play Juventus in Turin next month trying to recover a 3-0 first-leg defeat, Celtic Park has rarely been full this season.

The absence of a league challenge from traditional rivals Rangers has had an effect on attendances and ahead of the visit of bottom side Dundee tomorrow, Lennon was asked about the prospect of crowds dwindling further as the Bhoys disappear over the SPL horizon.

The Celtic boss said: “Everyone was doom and gloom at the start of the season but it has been a fantastic season for us. We have proved all the doom-mongers wrong. There is a lot of negativity in this country, a lot of it, it is overwhelming sometimes.

“Even when you are doing well....you are so far ahead and it is a one-horse race.

“I can’t do anything about it. The reality of my job is to win, develop the players, develop the team and keep it progressing.

“Why would it be a worry for me when we are 19 points clear?

“Gates are down all over Europe, there is a recession on and a lot of people are feeling the pinch.”