Source: Team_Talk
Lennon unable to savour derby day
eil Lennon says he no longer enjoys the build-up to Old Firm derbies now he is manager of Celtic.[LNB] The former captain no doubt relished the battles with Rangers as a player but now sees the famous fixture differently from the dugout.[LNB]He drew first blood by claiming victory over their bitter rivals as interim boss when Celtic ran out 2-1 winners at Parkhead back in May.[LNB]Lennon now prepares to do battle with Walter Smith again this weekend in a hugely-anticipated first Old Firm derby of the season.[LNB]With plenty at stake for both teams, the Hoops boss knows it is a clash most observers are looking forward to but says he is unable to savour the anticipation himself.[LNB]Speaking on the club's Channel 67, Lennon said: "I think everyone else is looking forward to it but I have other things to think about, in terms of team selection and preparation.[LNB]"I am pretty much engrossed in all that at the minute. I am looking forward to it and I am looking forward to seeing how the team handles a very good Rangers team.[LNB]"But the derby games, for managers, are not the most enjoyable experiences."[LNB]Rangers and Celtic are both locked on 24 points at the top of the SPL, with respective 100% records in the league so far.[LNB]That means something has to give this weekend but Lennon refused to become caught up in the hype surrounding the match.[LNB]"We'll try to keep a lid on things and not get carried away," he said.[LNB]"Other people will hype the game up and we can't control that, so we'll just try to concentrate on winning a game of football."[LNB]For Celtic winger Niall McGinn, an Old Firm debut this weekend would be the ideal way to put his injury problems firmly in the past.[LNB]McGinn has yet to feature for the club this season, after battling back to fitness following five months on the sidelines with a broken metatarsal.[LNB]He played in Northern Ireland's games against Italy and the Faroe Islands, as well as a friendly against Falkirk in midweek.[LNB]The 23-year-old has told boss Lennon he is now fit and ready for action if called upon on Sunday.[LNB]"It's always good when a derby match against Rangers comes around," said McGinn.[LNB]"Every time the fixtures come out, it's probably the first one I look for. I've been on the bench at one of the games but have still to play in one.[LNB]"Hopefully, come Sunday, I am on the bench again and with a bit of luck I will get some game-time.[LNB]"It would be unbelievable. I grew up watching the Glasgow derby, so the opportunity to play in one would be unbelievable.[LNB]"If I get the opportunity to play, I'll just enjoy every minute of it but, more important, is having a win at the end of it."[LNB]Meanwhile, Lennon has reiterated his unhappiness over referee Dougie McDonald's decision to rescind a penalty awarded to Celtic in last week's 2-1 win over Dundee United.[LNB]"I accepted the explanation, but still the decision rankles with me," said the Hoops boss.[LNB]"I did the interview after the game and then I went to see the referee. I accepted his explanation of why he changed his mind, but I still don't agree with it."
