Source: Team_Talk
Bhoys boss vows no let-up
eil Lennon will have one eye on next Tuesday's Old Firm derby against Rangers when he picks his Celtic side to play Motherwell.[LNB] The Hoops have failed to beat Rangers this season and the chances of Celtic's interim boss getting the post on a permanent basis would undoubtedly be boosted by victory over the SPL champions at Parkhead.[LNB]Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist claims the Ibrox side will be freshened up for their game against Dundee United at Tannadice which hints at both Old Firm clubs placing the usual importance on the fixture despite it offering only bragging rights to the fans.[LNB]Lennon wants to extend his winning run in the SPL to six games against Craig Brown's men but will have to do without defenders Glenn Loovens and Thomas Rogne, with only Loovens having a chance of being ready for Tuesday.[LNB]The Northern Irishman will also take that into consideration when he picks his starting XI to take on Motherwell.[LNB]"Obviously I want to keep the momentum going but I don't want too many injuries or to take too many chances with some players," Lennon said.[LNB]"Obviously I am going to put my strongest team out against Rangers but I will put out a pretty strong team on Saturday.[LNB]"A couple of the boys who played last week will be unavailable so I am going to use the squad as best I can.[LNB]"Some of them had a good run-out on Wednesday night (in the friendly against AZ Alkmaar) and will be at the forefront of my mind.[LNB]"Any victory in the SPL is important.[LNB]"Victory over Rangers will not be any more important but if we beat Motherwell and Rangers I will enjoy both of them.[LNB]"We will try to get the six points from two games but we will not think about Rangers until the final whistle against Motherwell."[LNB]Lennon showed signs of exasperation at yet another question about his future at the club.[LNB]He said: "What I've been told - and I have no reason to disbelieve it - is that no decision will be made until the end of the season.[LNB]"I can't make it any simpler or plainer than that.[LNB]"Once the Hearts game is over I assume I will be told one way or the other what the future holds."[LNB]The former Celtic captain insists the Hoops players have to continue to perform for their own sakes, regardless of what impact it may or may not have on his future.[LNB]"They are not doing it for me, they are doing it for themselves, for their future here at the club," he said.[LNB]"I've told the players that these three or four days are crucial.[LNB]"Rangers is a big game in terms of trying to salvage something from the season but I don't want to talk about that until after the game tomorrow.[LNB]"We are not really looking past Motherwell.[LNB]"But in terms of for next season they are trying to lay down markers for themselves.[LNB]"We put in a really professional performance at Tannadice last week so we have to take a lot from that.[LNB]"But I'm always wary that there could be a performance like at St Mirren or against Ross County so we won't get too complacent."[LNB]Defeats against St Mirren and Ross County have proved to be significant landmarks on Celtic's season.[LNB]Morten Rasmussen claims Lennon has rejuvenated the Celtic players since Tony Mowbray left in March in the wake of the 4-0 defeat in Paisley.[LNB]Aside from the Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final defeat against Irn-Bru First Division side Ross County, the Parkhead outfit under Lennon have shown a determination previously missing and Danish striker Rasmussen is looking to finish the season on a high with three more wins.[LNB]"The last game before Tony was sacked was not good," he said.[LNB]"Lennon came in and gave the team a winning mentality.[LNB]"He explained to us that we are a good team and have good players and that we have to win every game.[LNB]"In training he is always telling us to up the tempo and do things better.[LNB]"The players want to show that we are a good team.[LNB]"I think we have showed it by winning the last five games and we want to keep on going in the last three games and hopefully get three wins."
