MX23RW : Saturday, April 20 05:50:17| >> :600:121811:121811:

Neil Lennon: 'Celtic's achievements should not be ignored'

Neil Lennon: 'Celtic's achievements should not be ignored'
© Reuters
The Hoops' creditable 2-2 Europa League draw against Lille in France on Thursday night tempered the recent criticism aimed at the Parkhead outfit.

Neil Lennon sent out a reminder of Celtic's recent achievements ahead of the rearranged William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on Sunday.

The Hoops' creditable 2-2 Europa League draw against Lille in France on Thursday night tempered the criticism aimed at the Parkhead outfit over the previous three games.

The champions had lost to Old Firm rivals Rangers and AC Milan and then drew 3-3 with the Dons in the Premiership at Pittodrie last Sunday which brought a level of criticism which stung the Hoops boss.

However, Celtic, in a competition held over from last season due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis, are looking to win their quadruple domestic treble with the knowledge that they have won the last 11 trophies available in Scotland and as they chase their 10th successive league title.

"It is weird having to play a competition from last season but we are looking forward to it," said the Parkhead boss ahead of the Hampden Park tie.

"It is testament to the players' consistency that we are in another semi-final and we have earned the right to be in the semi-final.

"No other club has done what these players have done in the past three or four years and that shouldn't be ignored.

"It was a stellar season last season. We won 26 out of 30 league games.

"We were banging in goals left, right and centre, keeping clean sheets.

"We know the opposition because we just had a good look at them at the weekend. It is a game we are very much looking forward to."

The Celtic manager was buoyed by his side's performance against big-money Lille despite losing a two-goal interval lead to leave the Parkhead club with one point from six ahead of a double-header against Sparta Prague in November.

However, Lennon is still sweating on the fitness of defender Kristoffer Ajer who sustained a groin injury early in the second half in France.

Israel defender Hatem Abd Elhamed is back in contention after he finished his self-isolation after contracting Covid-19 while on international duty.

ID:420511: cacheID:420511:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3582:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Derek McInnes: 'Aberdeen deserve to be in the semi-finals'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!