Neil Lennon makes Celtic 'real friends' claim as he opens up on what he's learned about his squad this season

Steven Gerrard admits he will miss going head-to-head with departed Celtic boss Neil Lennon after his Parkhead departure.But he is looking forward to catching up over a pint with the Irishman after his long Parkhead goodbye was finally confirmed on Wednesday.The pair have enjoyed cordial relationship while doing battle in the white-hot Glasgow atmosphere with both complimentary of each other in recent years.And Gerrard has revealed he has long been an admirer of Lennon and is looking forward to

Dermot Desmond has paid tribute to outgoing "legend" Neil Lennon.The Treble winning Irish manager's departure from the club was confirmed on Wednesday morning after the weekend loss to Ross County proved the final straw for his reign.The Hoops now sit 18 points behind rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership in a season when they were aiming to secure an historic 10 In A Row.But billionaire Desmond admits the 50-year-old will be "very difficult" to replace after a silverware-laden second spell

Celtic this season.One look at the virtue signalling going on in Dingwall on Sunday night, when Neil Lennon’s very last hopes of some miraculous recovery were completely snuffed out, really said it all.Diego Laxalt allowing Jordan White to give him the slip at a set piece to thud home Ross County’s winner, then throwing his hands in the air as if someone else ought to have been doing his defending for him, perfectly summed up a campaign which started badly and which is ending in unimaginable

Charlie Nicholas has urged his old club to make an announcement about the managerial situation rather than leaving Neil Lennon to be the "fall guy".Defeat to Ross County on Sunday night piled even more pressure on the Parkhead boss, with a growing number of fans calling for him to go.A promised review has not been made public as Celtic assure they will not take any hasty decisions.But Nicholas feels leaving Lennon in limbo has turned him into the fall guy for a 10 In A Row dream turned

Mohamed Elyounoussi is a doubt for the trip to Dingwall and centre-back Shane Duffy will be assessed before the Premiership clash having picked up an achilles knock.Long-term absentee James Forrest has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation following ankle surgery but could re-join training next week.Defender Christopher Jullien is out long term with a knee injury and faces up to nine months on the sidelines.There was bad news on the injury front for County gaffer John Hughes this week with

Celtic fans as the season to end all seasons has become a complete lame duck.The promised land of 10 In A Row has disappeared miles into the distance as rivals Rangers hurtle towards the Premiership crown.Questions abound as to how to salvage something resembling that all-conquering side of the past decade from the wreckage of 2020-21.Some players will surely move on after being enticed to stay for one more year to clinch the fabled 10 - Jeremie Frimpong's January transfer perhaps acting as the

Neil Lennon will assess his Celtic squad ahead of the visit of Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday. Defender Stephen Welsh missed the win at St Johnstone on Sunday with a foot injury.

Celtic's struggles this season could be down to the differences in managerial styles of Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon.The Livingston captain played under the Hoops boss when he was in charge at Hibs and describes him as a motivator but "not a manager who greatly believes in tactics".This is in stark contrast to the tactical intensity of Rodgers who would relentlessly drill his players in where to move across the pitch.With a large portion of the squad that was so successful under the now

Celtic's trip to St Johnstone after suffering severe bruising against St Mirren.The young defender was taken off the field on a stretcher after injuring an ankle on Wednesday night and left Paisley with his foot in a protective boot.Shane Duffy came on to replace the 21-year-old and the Brighton loanee could be drafted into the starting line-up.James Forrest continues to get up to speed after recovering from ankle surgery, while defender Christopher Jullien is out long-term with a knee

Celtic's improved results are down to a lack of pressure, insisting there would be pressure playing for the Hoops even in a kickabout.Neil Lennon's side have won their last three matches by an aggregate score of 10-1, including two 4-0 victories away from home.It looks like being too little too late though with Rangers maintaining an 18 point lead at the top of the Premiership.Some have suggested that, with the pressure of 10 In A Row lifted, the Celtic players are now free to express

Albian Ajeti was cleared of a ban for diving.The Celtic boss admitted to being ‘flummoxed’ by the decision to fast-track the striker into the dock and hit the Swiss striker with a two game ban for simulation during last week’s 4-0 win at Kilmarnock.That suspension was quashed and described as ‘not proved’ after the Parkhead club’s legal team argued that Ajeti was sent sprawling by Killie keeper Colin Doyle, with Lennon adamant that the player should have had ‘no case to answer’.Lennon hinted

Neil Lennon has been allowed an extended stay in the Celtic job because no fans are in the stadium, according to former team-mate Chris Sutton.There have been several protests outside of Celtic Park as Rangers cruised 23-points ahead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.Despite collapse of their title bid and fan fury, the Parkhead top brass have stuck by the gaffer so far.  columnist Sutton believes that the reign may not have been allowed to continue by Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond if

Neil Lennon's words make him believe the Irishman will still be in charge next season but Simon Ferry isn't convinced that is a realistic option.The embattled Irishman has faced calls to go and the Green Brigade headed to Lennoxtown on Friday with a fresh "Lennon Out" banner with the Hoops 23 points behind Rangers.columnist Ferguson admits Lennon's recent admission that a Celtic rebuild is an "exciting project" has given him pause for thought.Chief executive Peter Lawwell will step down in the

Kilmarnock 4-0 in Ayrshire.That's unlikely to placate fans though as Neil Lennon's side flounder 23 points adrift in second place in the Premiership.They face Motherwell at Parkhead on Saturday as they look to put together back-to-back wins for the first time in 2021.Given their position in the Premiership table there's huge pressure on every game and the Celtic squad were put through their paces at Lennoxtown on Friday.Here's what we spotted from the session.With the title realistically if not

Neil Lennon has lost his Celtic "alibi" with the impending departure of Peter Lawwell. The club chief-executive announced last week he is set to retire this summer after 17 years at the helm.Lawwell has backed Lennon in the face of fierce calls for his sacking this season and Stubbs has a theory as to why the board haven't dismissed the manager.

Celtic’s underachievers must start showing personal and professional pride.And the Parkhead gaffer has made it clear the only problem with publicly digging out poor performers lies with those culprits themselves if they fail to deliver the right responses.Lennon didn’t hold back after the latest nightmare.

Leigh Griffiths ' fitness levels in his pre-match interview on Saturday - before hooking the 30-year-old at half-time in the shock 2-1 defeat to St Mirren.