Emotional roller-coaster for new Celtic boss and he was glad to survive

NEIL Lennon had a conversation with Paul Lambert on Friday evening, a pair of former team-mates shooting the breeze. Lambert wished his old mate well and told him that the emotion he'd feel at the end of his first match in charge of Celtic would be relief, pure and simple. And that's exactly how it turned out.

Lennon will be satisfied to get this one out of the way so successfully. It was a convincing victory, albeit against a club in free-fall, a Kilmarnock side that have now lost six matches in a row and who'd be in mortal danger of the drop if it wasn't for Falkirk's apparent inability to save themselves. "Defensively, I got exactly what I asked for," said Lennon. "Attacking wise, I really enjoyed watching them. Aiden McGeady was unplayable in the second half. That's the best I've seen Sami (Georgios Samaras] play. His work-rate was excellent. (Marc-Antoine] Fortune worked his socks off. And Robbie was just world class. We're lucky to have him here. It's not just his goals, but his awareness and his touch are brilliant as well. He's the Celtic No 7 and he befits the jersey.

"They're talented players who have a wee bit of everything. I'd like to see them being more clinical at times, but I couldn't have asked for more from them."

The manager had complimentary words for the returning Artur Boruc and Lee Naylor, who played instead of the calamitous Edson Braafheid, and for Scott Brown. "He can score goals, Scott. I've told him to get up the park more, but to pick his runs carefully. He's got power and energy and drive and I told him, 'I want to see you in the box'. He led by example. He had real drive about him."

Lennon said he was nervous beforehand but was touched by the reception of the fans. "I was going into the unknown for the first time. And I know it won't get any easier. We've a big game next week (away to Hibs]. But I'm really pleased with the way they played. It was a good result and a good performance."

Onwards to Easter Road.

A sculpted plaque to commemorate the life of Celtic legend Tommy Burns was unveiled at Parkhead before the clash with Kilmarnock yesterday.

The former Celtic player and manager died of cancer in May 2008. Burns' children, Jonathan, Michael, Emma and Jenna, were at the ceremony with Jonathan unveiling the relief on a wall near the entrance to the stadium.

Around 1,000 Celtic fans turned up early to hear Celtic chairman John Reid say: "It is very fitting that Tommy takes his rightful place at Celtic Park. He rose from a boy in the crowd to become a true Celtic great."

Chief executive Peter Lawwell was also present along with Lisbon Lions Billy McNeill, Bobby Lennox, Bertie Auld, Jim Craig and Tommy Gemmell.