Naylor wants Cup win for Lennon

Winning silverware is expected at Celtic and Lee Naylor insists they will be doing all they can to add the Tennent’s Scottish Cup to their trophy room this season.

But the full-back, 27, believes there will be even more grit and determination about the team than usual when they come face to face with Dunfermline at Hampden today.

The Scottish Cup final will be Neil Lennon’s last game for the club, the final whistle marking the end of what has been a controversy-filled seven years in the east end of Glasgow for the Parkhead skipper.

Naylor – who has been a surprise hit since his move from Wolves last summer - credits the Northern Irishman for making his own transition into Scottish football a seamless one.

And he believes every single Celtic player will be doing everything within his power to ensure that Lennon is allowed to bring down the curtain on his Celtic career with another winner’s medal in his pocket.

“He’s been brilliant and I think he’s going to be a massive loss,” said Naylor.

“He’s got personality, presence on the pitch, his passing, the way he breaks up play.

“I don’t think he gets enough credit for that but I’ll be one praising him all day.

“You want to do it for yourself first, but if you do it for yourself you’re doing it for Lenny as well and everyone involved.”

Naylor added: “You can replace him but it’s going to be a hell of a task to do that.

“I don’t think his personality around the place can be replaced.

“Whoever comes in is going to bring something different. You can’t bring in the same player.”

Naylor was injured for last month’s 2-1 win at Kilmarnock, which saw Celtic finally clinch the Bank of Scotland Premier League title.

He admits the Scottish Cup final will not make amends for missing the title triumph but he insists he is keen to get his hands on the silverware all the same.

He said: “Playing in the final won’t totally compensate for missing out on Rugby Park because I want to play in every game but it will be the icing on the cake if we win.

“It was frustrating being in the stand but I knew it wasn’t possible to play. The boys went out there and did it.

“I played my part his season though and I went out and did a Klinsmann on the park in my suit.

“It’s my first cup final and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big game, one of the biggest outside winning the league.

“The atmosphere should be good.”

Naylor is expecting a tough match against relegated Dunfermline.

He said: “The first game I played against them they just got all 10 players behind the ball.

“After that they had a bit more about them.

“They had more desire to try and score a goal rather than just defend.

“No doubt it will be difficult at the weekend.”