Neil Lennon revisits the scene

Neil Lennon is looking forward to his Hampden return- and revisiting the scene of his biggest managerial disappointments.

A year ago you wouldn’t have got odds on Lennon being appointed Celtic manager after the caretaker watched Ross County bounce Celtic out of the Scottish Cup at the semi-final stage.

Lennon described that performance as pitiful and blasted the players for going out of every competition without a whimper.

Last month he took his new look side to Hampden to face Rangers in the Co-Operative Cup Final and watched from the stand as Rangers took the trophy 2-1 in extra-time.

Today’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen provides some brief respite from the league campaign but returning for the final is essential for Lennon’s plans.

The name of Ross County will be forever associated with him as Celtic manager with the hoops boss refusing to bury the painful memories.

“There was no point in trying to hide things after that match, because the performance was so bad,” Lennon reflected.

“There was nothing positive for us – the quality, the application and effort weren’t there.

“I couldn’t go telling the fans that we were unlucky or that we didn’t get the breaks on the day.

“It was two or three weeks after the 4-0 at St Mirren. I said to the players that couldn’t happen again – and, lo and behold, two or three weeks later it did. So it needed to be said. I don’t think the players could have argued with anything I said – and I think they knew that. I wasn’t critical of anyone individually, just collectively.

“Of course people were blaming me. I felt I picked a pretty strong team, good enough to beat Ross County over 90 minutes. We prepared them well, but Ross County wanted it more than us on the day.

“That might be a failing on my part – but sometimes the players have to look at themselves.”

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Lennon has virtually dismantled the squad that he inherited from Tony Mowbray.

Gary Hooper and Emilio Izaguirre are on the PFA shortlist for Player of the Year, Biram Kayal is an inspiring midfielder alongside Joe Ledley and the passion of the Celtic support has been re-ignited.

In four previous games against Aberdeen this season Celtic have netted 17 goals with just one in reply but Lennon is wary of a team 90 minutes from a cup final and guided by veterans Craig Brown and Archie Knox.

“Aberdeen will be very motivated,” the Celtic boss warned. “There’s something to play for in this match. We want the day out at the end of the season because this is a piece of silverware that means a lot to the club, and myself, and we would like to go forward in the competition.

“It’s a big day for Aberdeen in context of the future and how they go about their business for next season so it will mean a lot to them.

“Semi-finals are notoriously difficult, they are usually tight but we played very well in the League Cup semi.

“To be 4-0 up at half-time was a huge bonus for us but we’re not expecting that to happen on Sunday.

“Every game is different and they all have their own merits. We will probably have to dig in at times and be mentally strong.

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