Shiels believes Parkhead manager will prove a success

KILMARNOCK manager Kenny Shiels says there is no reason why Neil Lennon should feel under pressure as he bids to haul Celtic back into title contention this weekend.

Celtic travel to Rugby Park tomorrow trailing Rangers by ten points and sitting third in the SPL table behind Motherwell. But Shiels believes Lennon has already proved himself a more than competent manager and says the title race is far from over.

He said: “I feel that he has proved he is the right man for the job. They have a game in hand and, if they win that, they are seven points behind and if they beat Rangers, it’s four. There is no way that they’re out of it. I’m sure it will ebb and flow between now and the end of the season. I think Neil has all the credentials to finish the job and I don’t see any way that he should be under pressure at all.”

Shiels is well aware that Celtic will see the clash with Kilmarnock as a must-win match and admits the timing of the fixture is not ideal for his side.

He added: “It’s not a great time to play them. There never is a good time to play the Old Firm because they are so strong and they’ve got so many good players.

“When they’re on the back of a defeat, I’m sure case history will tell you that both sides can happen – they can be lacking in confidence or it can engender great spirit to come back and win the game. I’m sure there could be the element of the wounded tiger but I can’t answer that until I see them play.”

Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley believes victory is a must tomorrow if Lennon’s side are to remain in the title race. The Welshman is confident Celtic can go on a run, with their game in hand to come against Dunfermline at Parkhead on 23 November – a date set yesterday by the SPL.

Ledley said: “There’s pressure in every game, no matter who you’re playing. There are a lot of games to go and a lot of points to play for. We have still got to play Rangers three times and we have got a game in hand.

“We need to win that and we need to win on Saturday just to kick-start our season. We know we can play a bit better than we are at the moment but hopefully we can find the form. We have been unlucky with injuries as well, but there are no excuses and hopefully we can hit form and get on track.

Lennon spoke candidly about the team’s predicament after their 2-0 defeat at Hearts before the international break, admitting he might have to consider his position if results did not improve. And Ledley is determined to ensure his manager remains at Parkhead.

“That’s down to the club what they want to do but we are all in it together,” he said. “We all love working with the gaffer. He is great on the pitch and off the pitch and is one of the best managers I have worked under.”