Lennon’s complacency cure

Neil Lennon has reminded his squad that being the best in Scotland isn’t the limit of his ambitions.

The hoops boss celebrates Christmas with a 10 point lead over three teams and would like to start 2014 with an even bigger advantage in the first ever SPFL Premiership.

Celtic’s route into the Champions League qualifiers seems assured but if any players start to get above themselves then a reminder of their European performances will quickly restore reality.

Two points from six matches against Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax portray Celtic’s place in the European scene with the hoops boss striving already to make his side competitive again on the big stage.

“I’ll remind the players that they are still a long way away from where we want to be,” Lennon explained. “The Champions League showed that.

“While we had a brilliant year the previous season we weren’t quite so great this time. We have set the bar very high and that’s what we have to push the players to strive towards.

“We want to be a consistent Champions League team and competing well in the Champions League, to do that they have to play consistently well week in and week out.”

While most of his players are happy to discuss the side’s unbeaten league record Lennon is wary of looking too far ahead.

Inverness Caley Thistle and St Johnstone both beat Celtic last season with the next four days certain to test Lennon’s squad out.

“It is something that people talk about very prematurely,” Lennon said. “I wouldn’t say (it was) impossible but it is a very difficult thing to do so I wouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves on that.

“We are 16 games into a 38-game season so we are not even halfway there, so it is still a lot to ask for.

“What I am pleased about is that we are unbeaten (in the league) since the start of the season which, considering the amount of games we have had, is a very good effort so far.

“What I want to do in the festive period is to try to increase the gap at the top and give ourselves a bit of leeway going into the break we are taking in January and be ready to go again.”

No fresh injuries were reported from the 2-0 win over Hearts with Adam Matthews available again for selection.