Neil Lennon calls on Celtic to go 'full throttle' for Premiership and Scottish Cup

Manager has no concerns over players’ energy levels as quadruple treble hoves into view

Neil Lennon has a free week to prepare for the Rangers game.

An unscheduled week off has presented Celtic with a rare chance to rest and reflect. It evidently still grates on Neil Lennon that his side won’t be involved when European football recommences – the manager’s brow furrows as he speaks of his “bitter disappointment” at the exit to Copenhagen in the last 32 – but the break will surely serve his squad well ahead of the business end of the campaign.

Not that Lennon believes his players are really in need of one. His more reliable foot soldiers - the likes of Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and James Forrest – will have made more than 60 appearances by the time the season draws to a close, with those still involved in international football having additional miles in the legs.

With Celtic likely to have the league title wrapped up prior to the Scottish Cup final on the earlier than normal date of May 9, there would seem to be an opportunity to take a breather at that point.

Lennon, though, wouldn’t even countenance the idea. Rather than easing off the gas, he wants his players to give it “full throttle” as they motor towards a fourth consecutive domestic treble.

“I’m not really worried about the players,” said the Northern Irishman. “They’re showing no signs of their batteries running out at the moment, that’s for sure. Browny missed the Kilmarnock game and I think Callum has only missed two games all season.

“Jamesie is one that you do have to keep an eye on a little bit with the volume of games and some of the hits that he takes as well. But he bounces back and his form has been fantastic over the last month or so.

“I want to go full throttle. I want to win the league and the cup. We’ve still got so much to play for. You need your important players to do that and these guys are all important players.”

With Rangers toiling, Celtic could even afford the occasional stumble and still sail through to a ninth consecutive league title. Lennon comes across as a far more mellow figure these days but he is evidently agitated about the idea that it is all done and dusted already.

“Everyone is talking about the league already being over but I’m not,” he added. “We have to keep going until it’s mathematically impossible to get caught. We have to remain fully focused and playing as well as we can.

“The players are very single-minded and that’s how we always want them to be. Complacency can be your enemy sometimes. They’ve been well warned about that. They train well and are preparing themselves right.

“Their mentality sets them apart from others but also their ability and relentlessness. The core group is fantastic and they’re very special. Long may it continue.”

Celtic’s stellar form has meant a frustrating time on the sidelines for those unable to push their way into the squad. The likes of Boli Bolingoli – instrumental in the first half of the season – has barely been seen since Christmas.

“He’s in and around it, he’s fit and training,” explained Lennon. “But the team is playing well so it’s been difficult for him to break back through. He’s still in my thoughts for between now and the end of the season.”

While Rangers face Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night, Lennon has a free week to prepare for the Old Firm game at Ibrox.

“February was very hectic. But now we’re heading into the Rangers game and I want to get the build-up the best we can.”