Lennon: These are the best days of our lives

Last updated : 20 May 2009 By Mikbhoy


The last thing Neil Lennon wants to dwell on is 'Black Sunday', that awful day back in 2005 when Celtic travelled to Fir Park, Motherwell, on the last day of the season and blew the championship but it's that day's events which give him and the team hope that they can still achieve their title dream this time round.

Celtic were winning 1-0 at Motherwell and had one hand on the league flag when our very own Scott McDonald ripped it from our grasp by scoring twice in the closing minutes of the game. This time it's the Huns who approach the final fixture two points clear at the top of the table but they face a very difficult game at Tannadice against Craig Levein's impressive United side whilst we finish off with a home game against an on-form Hearts team.

Celtic must concentrate on their own game, of course, and let events elsewhere look after themselves, but coach Lennon knows that our destiny is no longer in our own hands. "We were heavy favourites in 2005. People say we blew it and probably we did," he said. "It was one of the worst days of my career. So anything can happen. You feel OK going into the game but as soon as the game kicks off and the longer it goes the more nervous you get."

"We've just got to make sure we're ready, that we're prepared and know that anything can happen." he continued. "It's not in our hands I know that but we can still win the league so we have to keep believing. It's out of my hands once they start and for me it's just making sure that I get into the player's heads that it is not over and that they keep believing in themselves. If it takes until the 92nd minute then so be it."

"It's not over, so we're very optimistic still." reiterated Lenny. "The only thing is that you rely on other people. If Rangers go there and win then you just have to put your hands up. I said to them yesterday it is a great position to be in. These are the days of your life and this is what being a footballer is all about. You've got a chance of going down in the club's history with four title wins in a row. There are so many incentives."