Neil Lennon has warned his players that they won’t get the same satisfaction out of winning anywhere else in football.
Winning away to Lazio has created a whole new dimension about the club formed around the combination of winning in Italy in front of 10,000 travelling fans to ensure a place in the Europa League knock-out stage with two matches to spare.
Looking on from elsewhere were three key men from the Invincible season. Stuart Armstrong and Dedryck Boyata are involved in relegation battles at Southampton and Hertha Berlin while Patrick Roberts has played 23 minutes across three matches as Norwich try to avoid a quick-fire return to The Championship.
Lennon has experienced managing Bolton and Hibs since beating Barcelona in 2012, now back in charge of Celtic he appreciates when things are that bit special.
Speaking to the Daily Record he said:
I can’t imagine a feeling like we had against Lazio anywhere else in football. That’s just what Celtic brings. I talk to the players a lot about that feeling.
It’s not about money or medals, it’s about the feeling you get after a performance like that. Only those players as individuals can experience that glow of complete satisfaction.
It doesn’t last long in this game – but that’s what you play for. When you hear Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi talking about us and the atmosphere at Celtic Park, it’s a great compliment. He spoke really well after our home game. It made me proud of the club and it meant a hell of a lot to me.
Over the next couple of days Lennon will assess a lengthy injury list and his returning international players as he prepares for a hectic December programme that will go a long way to deciding Celtic’s domestic prospects for the season.