Lenny expects positive response | TalkCeltic

AnthonyBhoy · Mar 1, 2011

Celtic Football Club

THE harsh words have been uttered and the post-mortem completed. Now Neil Lennon is expecting to see his charges respond in a positive manner when the face Rangers at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.

The shortcomings from Sunday’s disappointing defeat at Fir Park, ending the Hoops’ 17-match unbeaten run, were swiftly highlighted by the coaching staff to the players in the hours following the match.

However, there was little time to dwell on such matters, with the visit of the Ibrox side in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay approaching quickly on the horizon.

And the Celtic manager believes the quick turnaround will prove an ideal opportunity for his players to demonstrate that the reversal against Motherwell was an aberration on an otherwise excellent start to 2011.

“Obviously we were disappointed and didn’t do ourselves justice on Sunday, but we're looking for a positive reaction,” the Hoops boss said. “The good thing is, we're not waiting a week to play a game.

“We just did what we normally do. We watched it ourselves, analysed it and had a wee chat about things yesterday. The players have been fantastic in the last few months so I'm not going to be overly critical of them over one game.

"The general feeling we've got from them is that they had let themselves down. After every negative result you are looking for a return to form.

“There were circumstances to why we didn’t play as well as we could have done, without making excuses, and we have talked about that – application, attitude and all those things.

“We have a game tomorrow night so I think they'll be wanting to get back out there and play better."

Of course, not even two weeks have passed since the last meeting of the city rivals, which Celtic won so memorably 3-0. With that match still lingering in the memories of the players, the Irishman will be demanding a repeat of the approach and application shown on that day.

“It was only 10 days ago so it will still be fresh in their minds,” he said. “I want to see that hunger and intensity of their play tomorrow night. That wasn’t really evident on Sunday.

“It’s a different game, a different environment, a different competition so we will approach the game as best we can. Those games have gone, this is the next one and the most important one.

“There is no better place to be, particularly midweek under the floodlights. Glasgow derbies are always special no matter the competition and it will probably be up there with any European nights we've had over the years.

“It’s a game we would dearly love to win and, off the back of Sunday, we will be looking for a reaction."

With Fraser Forster and Joe Ledley suspended for the game, it means the Celtic manager will be forced into at least two changes.

Lukasz Zaluska is likely to be handed the responsibility between the sticks, while there are several candidates who could deputise for the Welshman, including Beram Kayal who returns after his suspension at the weekend.

And the manager is confident that whoever takes their place will step up to the mark.

“We have good players in those positions and Kayal will be in contention for a place, no doubt about it,” he said.

“Lukasz is a good keeper and has shown a lot of good form recently in training and I have no qualms about playing him tomorrow."
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AD1967 · Mar 1, 2011

nothing less than a positive response from both the players and the fans will do.

McCabe · Mar 1, 2011

Just hope Celtic bring it tomorrow and put them out the cup. And the fans will bring the noise.

Gabriel · Mar 1, 2011

We can expect good things tomorrow

LB · Mar 1, 2011

I would think Lenny will get the best out of his team after that performance ..This should tell us wether Lennon can do the job and be the perfect manager for us :celt_2::50:

hairytoes · Mar 1, 2011

LB said: ↑

I would think Lenny will get the best out of his team after that performance ..This should tell us wether Lennon can do the job and be the perfect manager for us :celt_2::50:
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Very true.

This is the ideal opportunity for Lenny to cement his job long term.

Turning around a bad performance, lifting the team & putting Rangers out the Cup.

I'm sure he wouldn't have been able to ask for a better game after a showing up by Motherwell at the Bog.

alsybhoy · Mar 1, 2011

im expecting this myself. i doubt very much we will play like scared * rabbits again tbh.

CMcphail88 · Mar 1, 2011

LB said: ↑

I would think Lenny will get the best out of his team after that performance ..This should tell us wether Lennon can do the job and be the perfect manager for us :celt_2::50:
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Spot on:50:.

Shane1888 · Mar 1, 2011

Nothing can get the confidence back more than dumping the Dark Side out of the Cup. We need to do the job tomorrow.

H88per · Mar 1, 2011

Who will play in ledley's role? I'm thinking ki but I'd be tempted to put brown in beside kayal and unleash James Forrest down the right.

McCabe · Mar 1, 2011

I think he will go with Commons - Kayal - Ki - Brown.

catalan_bhoy · Mar 1, 2011

I hope that Ki will prove the doubters wrong tomorrow night. In fact, I hope that Celtic and all its players will prove the doubters wrong tomorrow night :)

butch · Mar 2, 2011

listen this team ain't no wee laddies *, up for it, all talk in the paper they are going to do this and that, i am still hurting from the motherwell game, and Celtic have been hurting me for the last 3 years gone 25 years with the same sort of easy way out game plans, there has never been a time for me to say with confidence yes we will hump this team or that in the last 4 years . sad as it is for me anyhow.as motherwell has * up again, Cally thistle, st miren, kilmarnock, hearts, and hibs all have at one point done us up easily.

kungfoofighter · Mar 2, 2011

one bad game. our players know what they are capable of and will wnat to redeem themselves

mygirlmaria · Mar 2, 2011

Id take a 1-0 in extra time right now.Humping them would be better, but going to extra time would just be another 30 minutes they could do without....and mentally tiring.

gav_p · Mar 2, 2011

mygirlmaria said: ↑

Id take a 1-0 in extra time right now.Humping them would be better, but going to extra time would just be another 30 minutes they could do without....and mentally tiring.
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Sack feckin' that!!! It might be mentally tirin for them, but I don't think ma wee heart would be able to last the pace after almost 120mins!!!

Ryan2442 · Mar 2, 2011

alexdonnet said: ↑

nothing less than a positive response from both the players and the fans will do.
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Well said !!!!!!!!!!!:50:
C'mon the HOOPS !!!!!!!!!!!!:celt_2:

Hail Hail:shamrock:

Gabriel Beidh an lá linn Gold Member