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Provan: For Celtic, Rangers are no longer a danger

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Davie Provan has paid tribute to Neil Lennon for almost killing off the annual Ibrox title challenge.

The Celtic boss was under pressure during the winter break. His side had lost the December derby with his board of directors concentrating on the bank balance rather than bringing in ready-made first team players.

Despite an 11 match winning run in the SPFL before the derby defeat Lennon’s credentials were being taken apart by many fans who had hankered for another hipster to replace Brendan Rodgers.

The most important part of management is managing players during matches. Points aren’t handed out for statements, Power Point Presentations or referencing ‘getting the violin out’ during media conferences.

On January 22 Celtic came flying out the traps at Rugby Park to beat Kilmarnock 3-1, twice in previous seasons Celtic had lost at that venue.

Celtic’s form has been relentless, across the city Steven Gerrard’s challenge lies in tatters, already the message is all about fighting till the end and not giving up while it is mathematically possible. Winners rarely make those comments.

Summing things up in The Sun Provan explained:

On current form, they will be relishing next month’s trip to Ibrox. The nearest Celts came to a crisis was dropping five points from consecutive games against Hibs and Livingston.

And if the last Old Firm game was a blow, their response has been blistering. Lennon should take the credit for that. The change of shape that allowed him to go with two strikers proved a game changer.

Despite a board who wouldn’t give him a player who’d improve his team in the transfer window, he’s managed his dressing room brilliantly. When it came to the crunch, Lennon stepped up a gear.

For Celtic, Rangers are no longer a danger. The enemy now is complacency. And you can bet he’ll be kicking ass for as long as it takes to get his team over the line.

In contrast, Gerrard needs a miracle. Having had the title in their own hands going into the winter break, Rangers have dropped the ball.

The question now for Gerrard is whether he wants to go again. Does he want to be in the Ibrox dugout when Celtic are going for ten in a row? Or would a more sedate job down south preserve his sanity?

Lennon has heard various experts say that it is Game Over since Wednesday but won’t be fooled.

Celtic have worked their way into the current position by displaying a relentless streak on the park, avoiding the background noise and claims from elsewhere.

Three points at Pittodrie today will keep the run going with another top six ground ticked off as Lennon’s squad target title number nine.

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