Source: Team_Talk
Lennon satisfied with position
eil Lennon would not swap positions with Ally McCoist despite Celtic trailing Rangers by four points at the top of the SPL.[LNB] The Celtic manager found himself under fire after surrendering a half-time lead in the 4-2 defeat in Govan, days after losing their Europa League group opener to Atletico Madrid in Spain.[LNB]However, the spotlight turned back on Gers boss McCoist, whose side had been knocked out of both the Champions League and Europa League in the qualifiers, after Rangers' shock exit to First Division side Falkirk in Scottish Communities League Cup third round on Wednesday night, as Celtic eased through to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Ross County.[LNB]Ahead of Saturday's SPL clash with Inverness at Parkhead, Lennon, who revealed defender Kelvin Wilson could be out for up to six weeks with an Achilles problem, was asked if he felt Celtic are in a better position than Rangers.[LNB]"It's difficult to say," replied the Hoops manager. "I would rather be in front in the league and four points is four points.[LNB]"It is too early to say what position in comparison we are to Rangers, all I know is that we have got important league games coming up before the international break and we would like to win them all."[LNB]But when asked directly if he would swap positions with Rangers, he said: "No - because we are in Europe and all the (domestic) competitions, and that's where you want to be at the minute.[LNB]"The game changes very, very quickly.[LNB]"While you are always disappointed to lose a derby game, you have to keep on a level.[LNB]"There is no doubt that the lows are lower than the highs are high and we had a job to do on Wednesday (at Ross County) but we came through it okay.[LNB]"But we are still chasing in the league and the league is the priority and tomorrow is a very important game."[LNB]Lennon, though, was dismayed to discover the win in Dingwall - which put Celtic through to a quarter-final clash with Hibernian at Easter Road - had come at a cost to Wilson who is to have a scan on Friday.[LNB]The Celtic boss has defenders Cha Du-ri (hamstring) and Emilio Izaguirre (broken ankle) out long term, with skipper Scott Brown struggling with an ankle injury which keeps him out against Inverness and with little chance of playing against Udinese at Parkhead in the Europa League on Thursday.[LNB]With midfielder Kris Commons out with a groin injury and Charlie Mulgrew suspended after being sent off last week, the Hoops squad is stretched despite Georgios Samaras (ribs), Mark Wilson (knee) and Paddy McCourt (calf) recovering from their respective injuries.[LNB]"Kelvin Wilson will be out, he is having a scan today," said Lennon.[LNB]"We don't know how long he is going to be out for until we get the results of the scan but it looks like he has a slight tear in the Achilles.[LNB]"It depends on the significance of the tear, we are hoping that it will be at best two to three weeks, it could be four to six weeks but we won't know the extent of it until the scan comes through.[LNB]"Of course Charlie is suspended. He has been playing very well and losing him is a blow.[LNB]"So we will have to manoeuvre the back four which isn't ideal but we have good experienced players in those positions and I expect them to deal with it tomorrow."[LNB]Lennon admits he is keeping an eye on Dundee United youngster Scott Allan.[LNB]Tannadice boss Peter Houston revealed his disappointment that the 19-year-old midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had rejected "the best deal this club has ever offered to a teenager".[LNB]Asked if Allan was on his radar, Lennon said: "Probably, yes.[LNB]"He is young, good player who has performed very well at SPL level and he has come to my attention through our scouting system.[LNB]"But I'm not going to comment on that any more on that."
