Lennon: Celtic Now Title Favourites After Old Firm Win – A Game of Momentum

In the high-octane world of Scottish football, few statements carry the weight of a former Celtic captain and manager. When Neil Lennon speaks, the Parkhead faithful listen. And after a pulsating, nerve-shredding Old Firm derby that saw Celtic edge out Rangers, Lennon’s verdict was unequivocal. “Are they favourites now? For me, they are.” That single sentence has sent ripples through the Scottish Premiership, shifting the psychological landscape of the title race. But is this simply the heat of the moment, or a genuine tactical and psychological shift? Let’s break down why Lennon’s claim holds more water than a simple post-match boast.

The fixture at Celtic Park was always going to be a defining moment. Both sides entered the cauldron with flaws, but only one emerged with the swagger of a champion. Celtic’s victory wasn’t just about three points; it was about statement-making. They absorbed pressure, struck with clinical precision, and demonstrated a resilience that had been questioned earlier in the campaign. For Lennon, this was the turning point. “When you win a game of that magnitude, you set the tone for the rest of the season,” he would later add. “The players now believe they can beat anyone, anywhere.”

The Tactical Masterclass: Why Celtic Won the Midfield Battle

To understand why Celtic are now the title favourites, we must look beyond the scoreline. The tactical approach from the Celtic bench was a masterclass in controlled aggression. The midfield trio—often criticized for being overrun in previous derbies—suddenly found a perfect balance. They pressed high, disrupted Rangers’ rhythm, and recycled possession with a purpose that had been missing.

• Pressing Intensity: Celtic’s front line forced Rangers’ defenders into rushed clearances, creating second-ball opportunities.
• Midfield Rotation: The constant movement between the lines made it impossible for Rangers to settle. Key passes were intercepted, and counter-attacks were snuffed out before they began.
• Set-Piece Dominance: A well-worked corner routine resulted in the decisive goal, highlighting a preparation that was meticulous and ruthless.

Lennon’s analysis focused on the psychological edge. “You could see the doubt creeping into Rangers’ play,” he noted. “Celtic were hungrier. They wanted it more. That is the hallmark of a championship-winning team.” The Old Firm win wasn’t a fluke; it was the product of a system finally clicking into gear. The visitors, once dominant in the first half of the season, looked tactically outmaneuvered. They had no answer to Celtic’s high press and were forced into long balls that were easily mopped up by the Celtic defense.

The Psychological Shift: From Chasers to Hunted

Football is as much a mental game as a physical one. Before this match, Rangers held the psychological advantage. They were the defending champions, the team with the experience of winning tight games. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. Neil Lennon has always understood the power of momentum. “Once you get that first win in a big game, the fear goes away,” he explained. “The players start to believe they are the best team in the league.”

This shift is critical. Celtic now go into every remaining fixture with the confidence of a team that knows they can overcome adversity. The title favourites tag brings pressure, but it also brings a swagger. Opponents will now look at Celtic and see a team that just dismantled their biggest rivals. The narrative has flipped. Rangers, once the frontrunners, now face the daunting task of chasing a team that has already beaten them on their own patch. The mental toll of that defeat cannot be overstated. Lennon’s words were not just an opinion; they were a challenge. “Let’s see if Rangers can handle the pressure of being second,” he added. “It’s a different animal.”

Key Factors That Cement Celtic’s Favourite Status

Beyond the tactical and psychological factors, there are concrete reasons why Lennon’s assessment holds weight. The Scottish Premiership is a marathon, but this victory was a statement of intent. Here are the key pillars supporting Celtic’s current favourite status:

• Home Advantage in the Run-In: Celtic have a favorable run of home fixtures in the final stretch, including games against other top-half teams. The Parkhead crowd will be a fortress.
• Injury Returns: Key players are returning to full fitness. The squad depth is now superior to Rangers, who have suffered key injuries in defensive positions.
• Goal Scoring Form: The frontline is now firing on all cylinders. The combination of pace, power, and clinical finishing was on full display in the Old Firm win.
• Defensive Solidity: After early-season wobbles, the backline has found a partnership that looks organized and uncompromising. Clean sheets breed champions.

Lennon also pointed to the managerial influence. “The manager has instilled a belief that they can win ugly, win pretty, win any way necessary. That is dangerous for Rangers.” The adaptability of the team is a massive asset. They can sit deep and counter, or dominate possession. This tactical flexibility makes them incredibly difficult to prepare for. Rangers, by contrast, have looked one-dimensional in recent weeks, struggling to break down teams that sit deep.

Predictions: What Happens Next in the Title Race?

With Lennon’s declaration ringing in the air, the next few weeks will be fascinating. The title race is far from over, but the momentum is now a green-and-white tidal wave. I predict that Celtic will not drop more than one point in their next five league games. The confidence from the Old Firm win will carry them through a tricky period. Rangers, on the other hand, face a crisis of confidence. They need a response, and fast. However, their next few fixtures are against teams that will sit deep and frustrate them, a tactic they have struggled against.

The key battle will be the next Old Firm derby at Ibrox. If Celtic can go there and avoid defeat, the title is theirs to lose. If Rangers win, the race will go down to the wire. But based on what we saw in the last encounter, Celtic’s tactical superiority and mental resilience give them the edge. Lennon’s prediction is not just hot air; it is a cold, hard assessment of the current form and psychological state of both clubs.

One thing is certain: the Scottish Premiership is now the most exciting league to watch in the UK. The Old Firm rivalry has delivered yet another twist. And with Neil Lennon, a man who knows what it takes to win titles, publicly backing Celtic, the bookmakers will likely follow suit. The question is no longer “Can Celtic win the title?” but “Can anyone stop them?”

Conclusion: The Verdict is In – Celtic are the Team to Beat

Neil Lennon’s words were not those of a biased pundit; they were the observations of a man who has lived through title races, both as a player and a manager. The Old Firm win was not just a victory; it was a paradigm shift. Celtic have the momentum, the tactical nous, and the psychological edge. They are now the title favourites, and deservedly so.

The season is far from over, and football has a habit of throwing up surprises. But if you are looking for a team that has the grit, the quality, and the belief to go all the way, look no further than the team in green and white. Lennon has called it. The evidence supports it. The Scottish Premiership title is now Celtic’s to lose. The challenge has been laid down. The only question that remains is whether Rangers can summon the spirit to answer back. Based on the evidence of the last 90 minutes, the answer is a resounding no. Celtic are the kings of the castle, and they have no intention of giving up the throne.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.

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