Neil Lennon has hit on the real reason that Celtic get little praise or credit for winning ten consecutive domestic trophies.
Imagine Walter Smith had masterminded that achievement or the cheekiest chappy of all- Ally McCoist.
National holidays would be called for with the red carpet treatment rolled out at every excuse.
With a Champions League group record of six wins from 36 matches Smith is still revered while cup defeats to Alloa, Forfar, Queen of the South, Falkirk and Raith Rovers has done nothing to detract from the legend of Coisty.
Celtic’s success has been uncomfortably acknowledged. Most of the current media pack have grown up in the EPL era, Celtic’s domination has made the English and Spanish game seem even more attractive.
With one of the icons from England’s Golden Generation sharing his time with them the fawning and selfies have helped dull the pain caused by the trophy parades in the east end of the city.
Addressing the issue in the Daily Record Lennon said:
I don’t think they are getting the credit they deserve this year. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m the manager, I don’t know.
If someone else was the manager they might get all the glitz and glamour that goes with it, but I think it’s getting underplayed what they’ve done in the first half of the season.
Not by me, though. I’m absolutely thrilled and really proud of them. This is the 64th game of the year. The win ratio must be around the 70 or 80 per cent mark. It’s incredible.
At Celtic Park tomorrow the League Cup winners and their manager will be given the warmest of welcomes. One more win in 2019 will bring some perspective to the last 12 months, even for those deep in denial.