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Page last updated at 16:11 GMT, Saturday, 17 April 2010 17:11 UK

Lennon proud of battling Celtic after win over Hibs

Neil Lennon
Celtic's comeback was reminiscent of Lennon's time as a player

Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon expressed pride in his players following the 3-2 win over Hibernian.

Trailing 2-1 in the closing stages of the game, Celtic scored twice to claim a dramatic victory.

"They kept going, they lost their way a wee bit in the second half and we brought the subs on just to add something to the team," said Lennon.

"They did that and all the other players made massive contributions. I'm so proud of them."

Robbie Keane's early opener for the hosts was quickly cancelled out by Derek Riordan's long-range strike for Hibs and Anthony Stokes' penalty gave the visitors the lead early in the second half.

But Marc-Antoine Fortune's tap-in and substitute Morten Rasmussen's scrambled winner ensured a fourth straight league win for Celtic.

"I wouldn't like to go through that again too often," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"We deserved to win it. We have pummelled their goal. Chance after chance went missing, but they showed real character.

It's over to Rangers to see what they do. If they drop points, we'll be waiting

Neil Lennon

"We keep shooting ourselves in the foot. They scored a 25-yard goal from a player who can score at any time in games and a penalty.

"I was a bit disappointed with the manner of the penalty. It was a bit similar to the one we got at Easter Road, so I don't think I've too many complaints about it. You've seen them given and you've not seen them given.

"I needed a goal and I needed somebody to change the game for me. I'm delighted for Marc-Antoine Fortune, he stuck at it all day, got his goal in the end after missing some chances and Rasmussen looks like he's going to get the scruffy goals that we're after."

Like Tuesday's victory over Motherwell, there were noticeable gaps in the Celtic Park crowd, but Lennon paid tribute to the fans who turned out to roar their team to victory.

"It felt like the good old days even though there wasn't many in here, but they've gone and scored two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game and I can't remember the last time they've done that in a while," Lennon said.

"Our supporters in the last two games have been unbelievable. I can't speak highly enough of them.

"They stuck with the team the other night and they stuck with the team today and I take my hat off to them. They're real, die-hard Celtic fans and I think they got the team through it."

Celtic's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County last week resulted in fierce criticism of the players and Lennon is pleased with how the squad has reacted - moving to within eight points of Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers, who face Hearts on Sunday and need five more points to win the title.

"There's frustration the whole way through the club," added Lennon. "The players know what's been said in the last week or so and they've responded to it in the best way.

"It's over to Rangers to see what they do. If they drop points, we'll be waiting.

"There's a feel-good factor just emanating. We're not getting carried away but that's four wins in a row, that's decent."



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see also
Hughes wants harder-working Hibs
17 Apr 10 |  Hibernian
Celtic 3-2 Hibernian
17 Apr 10 |  Scottish Premier


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