Source: Team_Talk
Happy Lennon salutes Hoops' spirit
eil Lennon paid tribute to his side's character after Celtic ground out a narrow 1-0 SPL victory over Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.[LNB] The Parkhead club's interim boss watched his side carve out their second successive win since he took over from Tony Mowbray.[LNB]There was little sign of the fragility which has characterised the Hoops' season as they held on after Robbie Keane's second-half penalty put them ahead.[LNB]It was the striker's 12th goal in 12 games since arriving on loan from Tottenham in January and took the Parkhead men back to within 10 points of SPL leaders Rangers, but Lennon was more concerned with the manner of victory.[LNB]He said: "I am more pleased today than I was last week.[LNB]"I asked them at half-time, 'can you see it through now? Can you go and get a goal and maybe another one and win the game?' And they did it.[LNB]"And without being brilliant, I am pleased with the character my team showed today and the ability to grind out a result.[LNB]"My back four and midfield two were outstanding when they had to be and we had to rely on the goalkeeper (stand-in Lukasz Zaluska) but that is what he is paid for.[LNB]"We dominated the second half at times and I would like us to create more chances but we are two games in.[LNB]"Possibly we could have drawn or lost that game earlier in the season."[LNB]Celtic defender Darren O'Dea agreed with Lennon's assessment that perhaps it was a game that might have been lost earlier in the season.[LNB]The Irishman said: "Yes, that was the most pleasing thing about today.[LNB]"It was probably horrible to watch but a good team needs to come to these places and win at any cost and that's what we did.[LNB]"It wasn't pretty at times but we won and we probably haven't done that enough this season.[LNB]"Neil has such a passion for the club and although everyone has, he has brought it out.[LNB]"It was a different story from last week. It was a tough game to win and one that we are delighted to win."[LNB]The visitors were awarded the penalty in the 61st minute after Anthony Stokes' high challenge on Aiden McGeady was judged worthy of a spot-kick by referee Charlie Richmond.[LNB]Hibernian boss John Hughes believes that only an indirect free-kick should have been awarded against Stokes.[LNB]He said: "That was an indirect free-kick, I don't think it was a penalty.[LNB]"Then again, can anybody in this room tell me the last time they have seen an indirect free-kick given in the box?[LNB]"Stokesy took a touch, his eyes never came off the ball, he went to hook it and the player put his body in and it was a real dubious penalty decision.[LNB]"But it's done and dusted and you have to put it behind you and get on with it.[LNB]"You feel for your players when they put everything in not to get anything out of it but that's football."[LNB]Striker Colin Nish called the decision "strange" as he said: "I didn't expect it to be given."[LNB]Celtic's regular keeper Artur Boruc missed out due to the death of his father and Lennon said: "He came back from Poland on Wednesday and said his father was pretty ill.[LNB]"He came in on Friday and said he was going back and we totally respected that.[LNB]"There was a thought in the back of my mind of could he hang on and play today but obviously family comes first and the whole club and the support send condolences to him and his family.[LNB]"It is a tough time for him."
