Semi-final is 'game of the season', says Neil Lennon

CELTIC interim manager Neil Lennon admits the Active Nation Scottish Cup is their best chance of silverware this season, which suggests he believes the title race is all but over.

Rangers had a chance to move 13 points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League going into last night's match against Aberdeen at Ibrox.

And, although the official party line from both Celtic and Rangers is the championship is not yet over, Lennon has opted to take a realistic stance on their hopes of overhauling the deficit with just six games to go.

That is why the Celtic manager is placing such importance on their Scottish Cup semi-final with Irn-Bru First Division side Ross County this weekend.

He told the Celtic View: "While we keep pushing Rangers for the title, this is our most realistic chance of silverware so we want to get to that final.

"It's the most important game of the season for us now.

"I know semi-finals are very nervy occasions. They are difficult and have a different atmosphere in a different stadium, so we won't be taking anything for granted. There will be no complacency on our part."

Aiden McGeady believes there are shades of previous bosses Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan in Lennon's own style of management.

The former captain has enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure with wins over both Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the SPL.

McGeady said: "His style's very similar because he has taken things from them and is using them. The training is very similar but Lenny is his own man and he has his own ideas. He has a lot of communication with players, but he won't break up training too much.

"If he has something to say, then he'll say it, but he's not one for stopping the coaching a lot, which I think is good.

"He's very passionate about the club and has been a player here for years before coaching so he loves the place. Being a Celtic fan, he knows what it's all about and that's great for us."