Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has discussed his success with the Hoops in the 2019 League Cup final against the Rangers, where the Irishman believed form played no part in Celtic’s victory.
With Celtic favorites going into the Premier Sports Cup final against Rangers again on Sunday, Lennon highlighted how, once again, he feels that form going into the game will have no effect on the result.
Going into the game in 2019, Celtic had some impressive European results and eased into the League Cup final with a convincing semi-final win, just as the Hoops have done this season.
With the Irishman seeing parallels between that season and this one so far.
He said: (The Warm Up), “I can only, from my own experience in 2019, we’d beaten Lazio home and away, had beaten Hibs five in the semi-final, we were going great going into the final, and Rangers played out their skin and battered us.
“We rode our luck, Fraser Forster saved a penalty, then we go and score. We played better with 10 men than we did with 11.
“It was really hard to put your finger on because nothing had changed in terms of preparation. It is for me, still, all on the day.
“The cup final in May could’ve went either way but the mentality of Celtic just strength in depth got them over the line.”
Lennon’s comments echo the idea that form goes out the window when heading into Glasgow derbies.
If not for a man-of-the-match performance from Fraser Forster and clinical finishing from Christopher Jullien, it might have been a different result in 2019.
However, under Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops have tended to step up against Philippe Clement’s side when it mattered most.
It is an interesting point from Lennon, who, like Rodgers, has experience over two spells managing Celtic.
Even the 2019 League Cup final was a shock to some, considering the Bhoys’ form going into the game.
With Celtic not at their best in the Scottish Cup final in May, they still came out on top, and it is a good habit to win when not at your best.
However, Rodgers will want a top performance on Sunday, and after a lacklustre display on Tuesday, he may well make changes against the Rangers to keep the team fresh while pushing players to get back to top form after a slight dip in performances in recent games.
