Lennon grateful for Ibrox `kick-start'

04 February 2011 08:00
Celtic manager Neil Lennon admits their New Year triumph at Ibrox propelled them to their latest trip to Govan on top form.

Georgios Samaras netted twice to give Celtic a largely unexpected and ultimately comfortable 2-0 victory over Rangers on January 2.

Celtic have improved as the year has progressed and netted 11 games in their three most recent encounters ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth-round tie.

But Lennon has been involved in too many Old Firm encounters to read too much into form ahead of a meeting between the Glasgow rivals.

Lennon, whose team face Rangers in the league in two weeks and the Co-operative Insurance Cup final a month later, said: "The players are in confident frame of mind and really looking forward to it, although it's probably an Old Firm game we could have done without at this stage of the season.

"There is no doubt that (win at Ibrox) was a huge fillip for the players and gave them a lot of self-belief to go to Ibrox and win well. We have kicked on from there and been very, very consistent."

Source: PA