Neil Lennon senses a stronger mentality in his Celtic squad after their bid to catch Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers continued with a 1-0 win over Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday.
The Hoops' title challenge suffered at this time last year with home draws against Dundee United, Inverness and Kilmarnock. And the loss of two points looked on the cards against the Gorgie men until Victor Wanyama calmed the increasing nervousness among the fans in the 72nd minute with his first goal for the club, a fine strike from distance.
In the 88th minute the Kenya international conceded a penalty but Fraser Forster saved from Eggert Jonsson to extend Celtic's winning run to six SPL games. Lennon said: "We had the three draws this time last year and that could easily have happened here, which would have been a bit of a blow. So maybe there is a bit of an improvement in the mentality."
He added: "You can't always expect the players to win four, five or six nil and the way the game was going we just needed a wee bit of energy and drive and we got that second half from James Forrest and Scott Brown. And I thought Georgios Samaras came on to a good game as well.
"It is another clean sheet as well so I am absolutely delighted."
The Irishman now turns his attention to the crunch Europa League Group I game against Udinese in Italy on Thursday night where victory is required to get through to the knockout stages.
Lennon will be without defender Glenn Loovens who stayed inside at the interval yesterday with a hamstring injury but he believes his defence has provided the basis for recent success.
"Daniel Majstorovic has played very well and I think he is in a good place at the minute," said the former Celtic skipper. "The goalkeeper has played very well of late, he looks assured.
"Even though he has relatively little to do in the last couple of games his handling has been good, his kicking has been good and he has given the back four a lot more confidence.
"Beram Kayal and Wanyama give the protection from midfield and we have Brown coming back in as well after injury. We look a more solid unit."
Source: PA
