Celtic v Rangers
Follow every kick as Celtic take on Rangers at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premier Division on 04-May-2010, kick off time 19:45
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Neil Lennon is hoping his Celtic players respond positively to being snubbed by their fellow professionals when they take on Rangers in the final Old Firm derby of the season at Parkhead.
The Hoops have finished second to the Ibrox champions in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race but not one player made the PFA Scotland team of the year which was announced at the awards dinner in Glasgow.
The team - voted for by PFA Scotland members - included eight Ibrox players and Andy Webster, on loan to Dundee United from Rangers.
In addition, Light Blues midfielder Steve Davis was voted player of the year while the young player of the year was his Ibrox team mate Danny Wilson.
Asked if his players could feel aggrieved by their omission, Celtic's interim boss said: "I hope so. We had a full table there, we were well represented by the players and I give them credit for that.
"I was surprised that there wasn't at least one of our players in the team of year. I was very surprised by that. So hopefully that will be an extra motivation if they need that.
"I don't think there is much difference in quality between the two squads. It's hard to put my finger on why the gap is so big this season but I do think we have quality in the squad and some real top-class players."
Scott Brown agreed with Lennon's assessment and put forward the name of midfielder Aiden McGeady as one who deserved to be included in the team of the year.
"Aiden has done quite well this season," the Celtic skipper said. "He has torn up some defenders and scored some great goals and been a good team player as well."
Being snubbed by their peers is just one gripe the Celtic camp has ahead of a game which is shaping up to be even meatier than usual.
Ibrox striker Nacho Novo started the ball rolling last week by blasting the Parkhead side and former manager Tony Mowbray for criticising Rangers boss Walter Smith.
Hoops midfielder Diomansy Kamara hit back at the little Spaniard saying he hopes he gets silenced at Celtic Park while Andreas Hinkel upped the ante again by claiming Celtic were a better team than Rangers.
Lennon refused to believe the German defender's claims would gee up the Ibrox men saying it was "just as motivational as Nacho Novo taunting our players", while claiming Celtic are due some luck this season against Rangers.
Smith has played down comments made by Novo, insisting his remarks should have no bearing on the Old Firm derby.
"Nacho has a habit of doing that kind of thing," the Rangers boss said. "Both sides of the Old Firm, when the lads get interviewed, they say things.
"Especially immediately after you've won a championship and the adrenalin is high. Georgios Samaras suffered from that previously.
"Personally, I don't pay any attention to these things. The motivation for any team comes from within a team to win. Any external motivation, to me, is an unnecessary thing.
"I say that to all the players, their motivation to win a game comes from their own team. It shouldn't matter what anyone else says about you in any newspaper or media outlet."
Rangers have already been crowned champions but Smith insists there is no such thing as a meaningless Old Firm derby.
He knows Celtic will be determined to finish a disappointing season on a high but says his own players will also be playing for pride.
He said: "We have only lost two games this season which I think is a terrific achievement for any club to go through a league campaign and only lose two matches.
"We want to try to keep that intact and I think we also showed that in Saturday's game against Dundee United when we had an extremely good attitude towards the game and I think that will carry on.
"Celtic have a home game and they will want to finish the season well at home and we are aware of that factor.
"There is not the same pressure as you would expect at this stage of the season than there would be if you were going for a championship. There is still a pressure on the players to do well and there is the pride aspect as well.
"They have taken a great deal of pride from winning the championship this season in the manner in which they have done and I think that will keep them going. I certainly hope so anyway."
Source: DSG
