Old Firm joy for Lennon

Naylor and Fortune give Parkhead a welcome reason to celebrate

Last updated: 4th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Neil Lennon enhanced his credentials for the position as permanent manager of Celtic as he oversaw a 2-1 victory against rivals Rangers in his first Old Firm match as caretaker boss.

First-half goals from Lee Naylor and Marc-Antoine Fortune either side of Kenny Miller's header helped Tony Mowbray's successor to bring a much-needed reason to celebrate to Parkhead.

Since succeeding Mowbray in March, Lennon has been forced to watch on as Rangers have secured the SPL title with ease and he has admitted his desire to address the imbalance in Glasgow.

A decision is not expected on Celtic's long-term manager until the summer, but Lennon has made it clear that he is eager to be offered the job after working at reserve-team level.

And after a deflected Naylor free-kick hit the back of the net in the eighth minute and Fortune nodded the winner only 120 seconds after Miller's equaliser close to half-time, his cause will only have benefitted with a maiden win against the old enemy this season.

Rangers' misery was compounded in the 90th minute as Lee McCulloch was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a lunging challenge on Aiden McGeady.

Lennon made five changes as Mark Wilson appeared to be preferred to Josh Thompson in the heart of defence after Glenn Loovens failed to recover from injury.

Robbie Keane, Landry NGuemo, Lee Naylor and Diomansy Kamara were also drafted into the side for the visit of Rangers.

The Scottish champions had a more familiar look after the weekend with Allan McGregor back in goal and Miller, McCulloch, Steven Whittaker, Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis also starting.

Rangers were dealt a blow early on when McGregor was injured while defending a Naylor corner and left the pitch on a stretcher after five minutes.

Fiery

Unfortunately for replacement keeper Neil Alexander, his first task was to pick the ball out of the net when Celtic took the lead three minutes later.

Naylor stepped up for the free-kick after a Steven Naismith foul on Aiden McGeady and his low shot was helped into the bottom corner by a deflection off David Weir.

Rangers could have hit back but Miller's cross from the left was stabbed wide by Lafferty.

The game was becoming increasingly fiery and Kevin Thompson picked up the first yellow card before being followed into the book by McCulloch.

Celtic were dominating and had the chance to pile on the pressure again with another free-kick but this time Alexander was able to gather Naylor's shot.

However, Rangers pulled a goal back three minutes from the break when Miller threw himself in front of a Whittaker cross and nodded past Artur Boruc.

Celtic were back in front on the stroke of half-time when Fortune met Naylor's cross and Alexander allowed the header to slip through his hands.

Rangers could have been back on level terms again when Miller cut inside from the left but he dragged his shot wide with Whittaker just a yard too slow to connect and prod home.

Dangerous

Then, with 53 minutes gone, Celtic were also forced to change goalkeepers.

Boruc had picked up a hand injury late in the first half which appeared to be causing a problem and he was replaced by Lukasz Zaluska.

He did well to prevent Miller grabbing a second when he raced off his line to block after the striker was set up by Lafferty.

Rangers were more dangerous now and Miller should have done better when he pounced on a Maurice Edu ball only to see his shot fizz past the post.

The striker was then perfectly placed to rifle home at the back post but a wonderful block from Wilson prevented Naismith's pass reaching Miller.

At the other end, a Naylor corner was nodded on by Keane for Kamara but he headed inches over from a few yards out.

Zaluska then came to the rescue again with a great save to deny Davis, before Miller's shot crashed off the post.

The match ended in controversy when McCulloch was dismissed in the last minute for a second yellow for a foul on McGeady.

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Comments (51)

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Len Woods (Celtic fan) says...

Lennon has done very well.However Samaras could costhim the job.Get rid of the Greek and the one trick pony( McGeady) His crossing and final pass is diabolical.Put some faith in Rasmussen he is miles better than the Greek geek

Posted 15:40 5th May 2010

Lee Stevenson (Celtic fan) says...

Lennon should get the job as he's turned a bunch of no-hopers into a decent enough football team..! We need a strong influential centre half, a solid centre mid & an out & out goalscorer..! I don't think Celtic should try & keep Keane as he gets kicked off the park in the big games..! Talk of Lennon not gettin the job is rubbish..! He knows the club like the back of his hand & would do well..! PS Jim Leghorn - Your talkin rubbish mate, 99% of managers turn to there assistant for advice..! Look at Jose when he was at Chelsea, he turned to Steve Clarke constantly..!

Posted 14:48 5th May 2010

Dominic Mc donnell (Celtic fan) says...

Why do so many people think Steve Davies is a good footballer? Would have been as well getting Steve Davis the snooker player that way Walter could brush up on his snooker while big Neil and the bhoys are busy winning the league next season. Hail Hail

Posted 13:57 5th May 2010

Barry Wilson (Celtic fan) says...

I think that everyone is getting carried away, yes Lennon has steadied the ship but do we all remember the John Barnes era? He is in the same boat as Lennon no experince or coaching badges. Imagine is Celtic hired someone other than Lennon with the same credentials...there would be mayhem in the Gallowgate.

Posted 13:42 5th May 2010

Jason Innes (Celtic fan) says...

Celtic under Neil Lennons command have won 7 League games in a row thats the longest winning streak of any spl team this season with rangers managing 6 but what makes this even more impressive is that Celtic had to travel to Hibs and Dundee utd which are two of the hardest places for the old firm to go and get the points, as well as trailing at parkhead to Motherwell and Hibs this showed the qualities that Neil Lennon had as a player that never say die attitude he has. One other question that managers are judged on is how they react after losing well they have been brilliant ever since the ross county game. I hope the board can just do the right thing and give the job to Celtics best captain in recent history as he knows what it takes to win at celtic

Posted 11:14 5th May 2010

Kyle K (Celtic fan) says...

In response to tom muir (rangers should of won it) You seem to have forgotten that Celtic should of won atleast 2 of the previous games. Read up on the match facts before you pass comment. Oh and good luck to getting hammered again in the CL this season

Posted 11:14 5th May 2010

Paul B (Celtic fan) says...

Lads lets be frank here.. Lennon has been brought in on a temporary basis to stop the rot. I agree that he brings some excellent qualities to the table but if you are going to give him the job on a full time basis HE WILL BE OUT OF HIS DEPTH.. Bring an experienced manager like Koeman and have lenny as his assistant, could work... And my fellow celt supporters dont get carried away by a victory over a rangers side that had nothin to play for!

Posted 10:47 5th May 2010

David Nellany (Celtic fan) says...

All this talk of Craig Levin as Manager must stop now, Lennon knows this club insisde out and is the man for the job, He has put fire in the bellies of the players and cant wait for next season so we can teach Rangers a lesson.

Posted 10:17 5th May 2010

Gordon Miller (Rangers fan) says...

Well done to Celtic for winning the game and getting back a little pride for a very poor season. At the risk of sounding like a moaning Rangers fan, I will say that Celtic were rather lucky to escape with the win. Rangers controlled the 2nd half and how they never scored I will never know!! :) Just a quick word on Scottish Ref's too - All fans want is a level of consistency. Naismith is booked for a foul on McGeady and gets yellow yet when McGeady does the same thing in the first half, he goes unpunished. The same can be said for Rangers players too so please do not think I am feeling sinned against as this is not the case. Anyway, CHAMPIONS AGAIN and roll on next year when the buy out is complete and we can finally push forward!!

Posted 10:04 5th May 2010

Maurice Odonnell (Celtic fan) says...

Remember the Ross County disgrace under Neill Lennon who fielded Mowbrays team against them ,too frightened to put his own stamp on it. He is still playing the same failures and is frightened to drop the obvious duds hoping that he can secure the managers job. The jury is still out as he has proved nothing yet and we would be better off with an experienced manager rather than an enthusiastic rookie What about Keanes performances, send him packing as he can not cut it ,£65,000 a week to take a few penaltys and cant score against the big teams like Ross County.

Posted 08:57 5th May 2010

Spud Wilson (Rangers fan) says...

Lennon's won a game that meant nothing as we're already the 2 in a row champs. We'd of hammered you's if it meant anything!

Posted 08:41 5th May 2010

Stephen Mccullagh (Celtic fan) says...

It was a great result, but I'm still undecided on whether I'd like Neil Lennon to stay on as manager full-time. The results are impressive, of that there's no doubt, but I can't help but remember he has no management credentials.

Posted 08:40 5th May 2010

Ronan Mackey (Celtic fan) says...

Was at the game brilliant atmosphere, great result! Lennon for the post! Bring on next season...

Posted 08:29 5th May 2010

Tom Muir (Rangers fan) says...

Rangers should have won this. Kenny Miller missed sitters. I think Celtic should got someone with more experience for next season. If you dont it will be 3 in a row to the GERS.

Posted 08:28 5th May 2010

Kyle K (Celtic fan) says...

Mon the Hoops! Its good to see the team playing with more heart and for the badge again. Roll on next season

Posted 08:15 5th May 2010

Andrew Power (Rangers fan) says...

No trophies and one Old Firm win for the season. Must try harder bhoys !! Bring on 54

Posted 07:35 5th May 2010

John Flanagan (Celtic fan) says...

It was a match that had (supposedly) no real meaning but it proved otherwise in terms of play I understand. At least the lads go into the break knowing they won the last OF game of the season and that's something to keep fan happy. Good to see that there were 58,000 there again. Now we need to see if the Board will provide money for whoever is in charge next season and make the club proud again after a terrible season until lately of course. Whatever the board decide re management - Thanks Lenno! You did a great job and showed what 'could have been' (Ross County excepted).

Posted 07:03 5th May 2010

Jim Leghorn says...

Dont forget Lennon was also the manager when they lost to Ross County, he had no clue how to change the tactics and had to ask his assistants for advice. Celtic can keep Lennon but it will be to their cost

Posted 06:52 5th May 2010

James Mckay (Celtic fan) says...

lennon has put some pride back into the club after last night, he has the players playing for the jersey, i would give him the job with wullie mc stay along side him,

Posted 06:16 5th May 2010

Dave Kiernan (Celtic fan) says...

This is more like the Celtic we all know and love !! Let Lennon have a shot at managing. He's done not too bad so far as caretaker, though has to be said almost anyone would have been better than Mowbray ! C'mon the Bhoys! Hail Hail !

Posted 06:07 5th May 2010
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