Celtic boss Neil Lennon promises noise of nine-in-a-row won’t deflect his objectives

Having been part of 10 of Celtic’s 14 title wins this century, Neil Lennon knows all about the sound and fury that surrounds the Old Firm in their respective pursuits of glory.

Yet, as he prepares to lead his side’s bid to make it nine-in-a-row and equal the historic achievements of both Rangers from 1989-97, and the Hoops from 1966-74, the Northern Irishman insists they won’t be deflecting from his side’s task by the noise which will accompany them.

“It’s calm here,” insisted the Hoops gaffer.

“It’s too early to say what shape we’re in at the minute, although we are going in the right direction.

“I don’t know if the league is tougher than when I managed here the first time round. Rangers were very strong in the first two seasons.

“Obviously people are saying they are stronger this year. Again, it is too early to say.

“People will say it’s a two-horse race. But the likes of Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts will want to have a say in it as well.

“On any given day, if you are not right at it, they can take points off you. Anyone in the division can.

“We’ve seen it many times over the years. And our rivals have good managers as well, who are shrewd and canny.

“So I think the league will be very competitive, as it always is. We just have to make sure we are at the top of it come the end!

“In terms of noise, I have learned as I have gone along in football that you can’t control the uncontrollables.

“I used to get agitated by stuff, but things like that are out of my control.

“If you are conscientious in your work, and you think you are going about it the right way and doing the hours – and the players are giving you what you want – then you can’t ask any more really.”

It is a mindset that Lennon will encourage his players to adopt. His speeches to the dressing room will not resemble history lessons.

“Listen, they know what’s at stake,” he said.

“It’s just the next one. The most-important one is always the next one.

“We had all the talk of the treble Treble. That got very, very wearing towards the end of the season on the players – as you can imagine.

“Every time we were going into games, there was always the talk of treble Treble.

“Hibs away – oh, this could be it. Lennon’s first game back in the Cup. Aberdeen in the semi-final. Rangers – if you lose this, he could lose his job.

“There was all that. Not just on me, either, but on the players as well.

“We were on the cusp of history. They were going to do something that hadn’t been done before and in every press conference it was mentioned, which, to be fair, is understandable.

“This year will probably be no different. But we’ve just got to keep a perspective on things from there.

“The priorities are getting into the Champions League, which would be fantastic. A great sort of foothold in the season.

“And then the main priority is the Championship, which is the same every season.

“We know where we want to be and would like to get there as quickly as possible. But it is not always as easy as that, as you know.

“I am delighted with the three games we have had in the Champions League so far. You can’t ask any more and we have Hatem Abd Elhamed in there, who is another addition, which is great.

“Whether we add to the squad or not, we already have a really good core of players here for the campaign.”

Half-a-dozen years have flown by since Lennon embarked on a new campaign as manager of Celtic, and he says the 2019 version of himself is a more-relaxed man then he was in his first stint in charge.

“I’ve different staff and I think the staff are good for me,” he said.

“John Kennedy takes a lot on, Damien Duff has got good energy and between them they will take a lot off my shoulders, which is great.

“I’m more experienced. I know I lose the rag every now and again. I did at half-time against Nomme Kalju on Wednesday, actually. You don’t lose that.

“But you evolve as you go along.

“I’m not saying I’m completely mellow. But I’m enjoying what I’m doing at the minute.”