Lennon demands better from Celtic for Hibs clash

A 1-1 draw with St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday, in one of the more controversial SPL encounters this season, means Celtic can wrap up the championship if they beat Hibs and Motherwell lose to St Mirren.

However, after drawing 2-2 and losing 1-0 to the Easter Road side already this season, the Parkhead manager is looking first and foremost for a good performance and a victory.

“There are still a few of them not finding their best form at the minute and I don’t know why,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’m looking to get a bit more out of my players at the minute.

“We’ve got a week now to get ready for Hibs and I want to start seeing performances at a level I expect because I didn’t see that on Sunday. We will be going into it to win. We’ve been unlucky against Hibs, we were formidable in both of the games this season but we’ve only come away with a point at home and nothing away.

“I’ll be looking for a similar performance but a better result.”

Lennon was left raging at referee Bobby Madden’s performance in Paisley at the weekend, describing it as “appalling” while taking a swipe at the general standard of officiating over the past few months.

One of several contentious decisions made by the official was to show Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama a straight red card for a challenge on Paul McGowan. The ex-Celt later cancelled out Kris Commons’ early opener from the spot, after a highly dubious penalty was awarded to Saints for a challenge on striker Esmael Goncalves by Emilio Izaguirre.

Celtic are expected to appeal Wanyama’s red card and the case will be heard later this week. While the Parkhead club will be confident of a decision in favour of the midfielder, if the red card stands then Wanyama will incur a two-game ban and thus miss the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United at Hampden.

Commons was taken off on a stretcher just before the break after Beram Kayal accidentally stood on his ankle and must be doubtful for the weekend.