Lennon demands Celtic bounce back

16 March 2013 01:16

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is demanding a response from his players in their match against Aberdeen on Saturday after suffering two successive league defeats.

Celtic have lost to Motherwell and Ross County in their past two games, although they still hold a 15-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic have struggled for consistency this season as they fought on four fronts but having now exited the Champions League and League Cup Lennon is targeting success in the SPL and Scottish Cup.

"I want us to find consistency between now and the end of the season," Lennon said.

"Maybe we can find a bit more consistency of team selection, although we've been prioritising other games recently. I don't like losing. I like to win. I like to win trophies and by the end of the season we may have one or two, and that will be a good return, and an improvement on last season.

"All I'm thinking about is winning the next two or three games and we'll see where we are, but we've got to win them, and what I want is a performance the team is capable of as well.

"Aberdeen are a bit inconsistent but on their day they can be a handful for anybody. I like some of the players they've got. Niall McGinn's had a great season up there and scored a lot of goals, and I've always liked Johnny Hayes.

"They've got experience in the team with Russell Anderson and Mark Reynolds so on any given day they can give anyone a hard time but we will be very motivated now."

Celtic's opponents, Aberdeen, are still aiming for a top six finish after what has been a disappointing season.

The Pittodrie club announced this week that veteran manager Craig Brown is set to retire at the end of the season.

The 72-year-old has been in charge of the Dons since December 2010, having moved there from Motherwell.

Previously, he had managed Scotland, leading them to their last major finals tournament in 1998.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Inverness Caledonian Thistle host Ross County in the Highland derby at the Caledonian Stadium.

County have moved up to third following an 11-match unbeaten run and are on a high following last weekend's shock win over Celtic.

Inverness are just a point behind in fourth place.

Terry Butcher's side are without a win in three matches but are unbeaten against County in four matches.

On Sunday, Dundee United host rivals Dundee at Tannadice.

United could break into the top six with a win over the Dens Park side, who are rooted at the bottom of the table 14 points from the safety.

United have won all of the meetings between the sides this season but John Brown's side are on a two match unbeaten run.

In the only weekend fixture played on Friday, Motherwell beat Hibernian at Fir Park, 4-1.

Saturday

Celtic v Aberdeen, Inverness CT v Ross County

Sunday

Dundee United v Dundee

Source: AFP