Lennon's title delight as the swagger returns

Neil Lennon couldn’t hide his delight as Celtic clinched the SPL title with a swagger.

A 17 match winning run through the winter crushed the challenge from Rangers as Celtic recovered from a stumbling autumn.

March had proved to be a patchy month brightened up by a four goal burst in the Scottish Cup win over Dundee United but yesterday Celtic were back to their best.

With a semi-final coming up next week against Hearts at Hampden Lennon was thrilled to see his side return to form and pick up the championship

“It doesn’t get much better than this,” the Celtic boss admitted “I am so proud, it is hard to put into words sometimes what you are going through. Today was the epitome of the team – it was class, pace, there was a swagger about them.

“It was easy to let the season peter out and it looked for a couple of weeks as if they were just starting to tire a wee bit mentally but they found their energy and their mojo again today and I couldn’t feel more happy for them.

“Some of our counter attacking play in the second half was magnificent. I’m so happy for the players, they are babies in terms of football. They have come in for what I think is unjustified criticism.

“They have proved beyond doubt they are the best team in the country and they will grow. They are not anywhere near their peak yet. Georgios Samaras is the oldest player in the team at 27.

“At times there is a naivety about them which I totally comprehend, but to win the championship over 33 games is a fantastic achievement.”

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