SPL: Lennon sets sights on second treble

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon has set his sights on another glorious season at Parkhead - with the added bonus of a run in the Champions League.

The Northern Ireland international still cannot believe the success he enjoyed after his move from Leicester City.

He has not had too long to bask in the glory, but Lennon is relishing the chance to get the new season underway against St Johnstone tomorrow.

He is desperate to keep the Scottish Premier League trophy, the Scottish Cup and the CIS Insurance Cup in the Parkhead cabinet come next May - but he is also confident Celtic can conquer Ajax and move into the Champions League group stages.

Lennon said: "I can’t wait to get going again because it will be my first full season here and I’ve loved it so far.

"I couldn’t wait to come here and to finally sign last season was great, but I still can’t believe how well things went for me and the team.

"Everything just went right and go on to win the Treble was just the sort of stuff you can only dream of.

"But it makes you want it even more and I’m sure the rest of the lads here want the same as me.

"I’m always confident about winning and this season will be no different and to retain the Treble would be fantastic.

"But we’ve also got the Champions League to think about and I’m confident we can get past Ajax I’m always confident anyway."

Aberdeen captain Derek Whyte has urged the Pittodrie youngsters to blow away the dark clouds of depression at the club in the opening game of the season against Rangers.

Dons manager Ebbe Skovdahl was infuriated when departing chief executive David Cormack had expressed his frustrations over a lack of new signings.

But the Dons defender maintains that the lack of transfer activity will, in the short-term, allow the younger members of the squad the opportunity to shine.

"We have nothing but positive thoughts about the game and what is going on behind the scenes won’t affect that," said Whyte.

"I have already expressed views on why the club must bring in some more experienced players.

"It’s a real worry because if we have a couple of injuries to key players we will really struggle because we only have lads of about 18 to step in.

"We have lost seven experienced players over the last few months and brought in only one.

"Expecting such a young squad to then go out and reach the top six is an awful lot to ask, although we will give it our best shot.

"Waiting to see what the club is going to do about that does my head in at times but you just have to get on with making the best of the situation as it is.

"It certainly won’t make us go into Rangers game thinking we can’t win.

"We have a strong side available this weekend who have worked hard during the pre-season.

"Like every team, we had one or two hiccups along the way but we are desperate to show those are behind us and we can give Rangers a real fight for the points."

Hibernian boss Alex McLeish insists that his side can reproduce the form which earned them so many plaudits last season when the new campaign kicks off at home to Kilmarnock.

"Last season will be a hard act to follow for all of us and that’s the pressure on the new faces," said McLeish.

"But there is also a freshness and a new edge from players determined to ingratiate themselves to the fans, these are the motivations for them.

"Of course, we cannot guarantee we will do the same but we will have a go at it.

"That’s the pressure last season has brought but it is a pressure we would rather have."