Source: Team_Talk
Lennon wants strong game from rookie ref
eil Lennon insists Celtic are not putting any extra pressure on Old Firm debut referee Willie Collum ahead of Sunday's clash with Rangers.[LNB] The Celtic boss is still disgruntled about referee Dougie McDonald's controversial decision to award the Hoops a penalty in last week's win over Dundee United at Tannadice, then change his mind after consulting with his assistant.[LNB]The Irishman also pointed back to last October when Celtic, under Tony Mowbray, were denied a penalty against Rangers at Ibrox by Craig Thomson, who later admitted his mistake, and to the goal Marc-Antoine Fortune had chalked off against Rangers at Parkhead in January by Steve Conroy.[LNB]However, the former Celtic skipper is simply looking for a "strong game" from the rookie ref, who at 31, can be considered something of a novice.[LNB]"I would say that refereeing an Old Firm game at any time is difficult but when it is your first one, he might be a wee bit extra nervous," Lennon said.[LNB]"I just hope he has a strong game.[LNB]"We felt aggrieved at some of the decisions that went against us last year so we are hoping that he has a good game and makes the right decisions at the right moments.[LNB]"We are not putting any extra pressure on him, from our point of view. We don't want to do that.[LNB]"We just hopes that he starts from scratch and sees the game as it is."[LNB]In a fixture that will added intensity due to the fact that both sides have won their first eight SPL games, Lennon could have half a dozen players at least also making their Old Firm debuts.[LNB]However, he admits there is little he can say which will prepare them for Sunday lunchtime.[LNB]"No matter what words of advice you give them, it can't replicate playing the game and being in that atmosphere and the intensity of that whole arena," he said.[LNB]"When I made my debut Martin O'Neill said to me it would be a blur and he was right.[LNB]"Nothing prepares you for an Old Firm game, they definitely are a special game in the calendar and there is just a wee bit more riding on this one because of the start both teams have made.[LNB]"I enjoyed them as a player, you enjoy them when you win obviously, the flip side of that is if you lose it's not nice.[LNB]"As a manager I don't think you can enjoy it, I think you feel that sense of relief when it's over.[LNB]"People have been talking about this game for three or weeks.[LNB]"I have tried to distract myself but now the focus is on this game, it has been different."[LNB]Despite Celtic being at home, Lennon insists the Ibrox men, who lead the table on goal difference, go into the game as favourites.[LNB]"Outsiders will probably make Rangers the favourites with the way they have played in Europe as well as the SPL," the former Leicester midfielder said.[LNB]"But I don't think there is much between the teams.[LNB]"I think they have been very impressive. I think they play more football at times than people give them credit for, they have good individual players and they work hard for each other.[LNB]"They have a good mentality which they have developed over last two or three years.[LNB]"But we have to concentrate on what we have to do. The onus is on us because we are the home team.[LNB]"We have to try and take the game to Rangers at every opportunity we can."[LNB]Lennon continued: "I don't want to hype the game up too much because other people will do that anyway.[LNB]"At the end of the day it's a league game and three points at stake.[LNB]"Obviously there is a little more on it with who is going to be at the top of the table at the end of the game but you don't want to fill their heads too much.[LNB]"At the end of the day, you want them to concentrate on football and playing the game the right way."
