Lennon pleased with Celtic response

Neil Lennon
12 April 2012

Neil Lennon praised his players for coming from behind for the first time this season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park.

It was Lennon's 13th successive SPL win as Celtic manager - his fifth this season - but it came only after Conor Sammon had given Killie a shock lead after only seven minutes, the first goal the Hoops had conceded in the league. The Celtic manager was far from pleased at how his side started the game - but happy at the way they turned it around.

"We were wasteful in possession early on, and ill-disciplined in our defensive shape at times," he said.

"The goal was preventable, we got rolled in midfield and Glenn Loovens turned his back and Sammon got across him and tucked it in.

"Sooner or later we were going to concede a goal and it was the reaction that we were looking for and we got that.

"I'm delighted that we showed a lot character and as the game wore on, we got stronger and stronger.

"I thought we totally dominated the second half but it's always difficult to break a team down when they set up defensively like that."

Lennon had sympathy for McCourt who started for the first time since injuring his neck against Inverness on the opening day of the season, only to come off with a shoulder problem after 21 minutes.

The former Celtic skipper said: "He felt something go in his shoulder and we have to wait and see how he is Monday. It seems to be stop-start for him. Since he's come here it's been one step forward and two steps back.

"But in the last few weeks he has looked really fit and healthy. It's a blow for him and blow for us and we are hoping it won't be too serious. Hopefully he wont be out for too long because we will miss him."

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