Celtic midfielder Scott Brown believes that Neil Lennon was “chucked in at the deep end” but that a win against rivals Rangers on Sunday would make him a “made” man.
Celtic are 10 points ahead of Rangers in the Premiership and a win for Steven Gerrard’s men would keep their very slim hopes of catching their rivals alive.
However, history is against them – Rangers haven’t won at Celtic Park in the league since 2010. A Celtic would win would leave them 13 points ahead and leave them on the brink of yet another title win.
Talking in the Scottish Sun Brown said, “To win against Rangers at Parkhead, I think the gaffer would be made. It would be fantastic for him, for us and for the supporters.
“The manager has been great. He got chucked in at the deep end, but he’s dealt with that situation really well.
“He speaks really well in front of the lads, training has been exactly the same as it was with Brendan Rodgers and the lads have set the tone and know it’s a fresh challenge.
“We won seven trophies out of seven under Brendan and if there’s any man who’s going to fill his shoes it’s Neil.”
OPINION
It might not be a critical match in this year’s title race, like most neutrals were hoping, but there’s still a lot on the line in Sunday’s Old Firm clash. For Celtic it’s a chance to prove that they’re still a whole level better than their bitter rivals. Last season Celtic finished 12 points ahead of Rangers in what was considered a pretty disastrous season. A win on Sunday would take them 13 points clear. For Neil Lennon, like Brown says, it could be a result that gets him the Celtic job on a permanent basis. Change colours and for Rangers it’s a chance not only to keep the Premiership race alive – just – but to record successive Old Firm wins against their rivals, after the 1-0 win at Ibrox in December. Back then they dominated Celtic and should have won by a bigger margin, and it gave fans real optimism about their season under Gerrard. The wheels have come off in the past few weeks but their first win at Celtic Park in the league since 2010 would be massive, whether they go on to mount a a title challenge or not.