Neil Lennon defends Celtic record after criticism following Rangers loss
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Thursday 16 May 2019 12:05, UK
Neil Lennon robustly defended his record as a Celtic player and manager following the negativity after Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Rangers.
The Northern Irishman was brought in as boss until the end of the season in February when Brendan Rodgers suddenly left for Leicester and guided the club to their eighth successive Ladbrokes Premiership title.
Celtic will be presented with the trophy at Sunday's home game against Hearts, live on Sky Sports Football.
Celtic have the chance to achieve an unprecedented domestic treble treble when they take on the Jambos in the William Hill Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on May 25, but Lennon has been stung by the criticism, some of it from the "new breed" of fans.
I have been here since 2000 and in that time Celtic have won 14 league titles and I have played a part in 10 of them. So I think I know how to win titles here.
Speaking at the club's Lennoxtown training complex, Lennon did not categorically say he wanted the post on a full-time basis but said: "There is no evidence to suggest I can't take the job on.
"I have been here since 2000 and in that time Celtic have won 14 league titles and I have played a part in 10 of them.
"So I think I know how to win titles here. I think that gets overlooked.
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"If we win the cup that will be my seventh cup and any time we lost the league that I have been involved in it was on the last day of the season."
With eight successive titles in the bag, Lennon accused the younger element of the Celtic support of taking success for granted.
He said: "I think there is a new breed of supporters, here or elsewhere. Since 20 years ago the only thing they have seen is success.
"They don't remember the 1990s as the older generation do. I can't take it for granted, they might. That comes from an immaturity from their point of view.
"In present-day football there is always a furore after one game, whether it be social media or phone-ins.
"I live in the real world. Social media is not the real world. I think it is poisonous myself, but good luck.
"We have one more game to achieve something historic. My contract expires at the end of May and after the cup final I will sit down with whoever."
