Neil Lennon has reflected on how Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football has made winning trebles an expectation, something that was far from the norm during his playing days.
Speaking to Premier Sports, Lennon recalled how rare it was to win all three domestic trophies when he was battling for silverware under Martin O’Neill.
Back then, the league was far more competitive at the top, with Rangers actually challenging the Hoops, and no 16 point gaps, which could go past 20.
Of the eight trebles in Celtic’s history, five have come since the 2016/17 season, with Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou setting a relentless standard, with Lennon also chipping in.
“Back to my time as a player, the Trebles were so rare.
“When you think of what Celtic have done over the last decade, with Brendan coming in initially and then the follow through to the last seven or eight years.
“It’s incredible. It’s almost like the expectation is that you get disappointed if you don’t win a Treble. That’s how good the club has become.
“He will want that. They have had a great season up to now and a great run in Europe. League Cup in the bag. They are almost over the line (in the Premiership).
“Some of the football they have played this year is breathtaking. The squad is strong. He will want more going forward. Two games away now from a potential Treble, but he won’t be taking that for granted.
“Things were difficult for him last year. There is no question about that and the title race was close. In the end, the last six weeks of the season, they prevailed and then won the cup.”
Rodgers has already secured the League Cup, while the league title is all but won, with Celtic now just two games away from the Scottish Cup.
With Celtic on the verge of yet another historic treble, their ninth in history and sixth in a decade, Rodgers is showing once again why he thrives in Glasgow.
The boss won’t be getting too far ahead of himself, yet. St Johnstone lie in wait in the final, and after winning it in 2021, they want the taste of success again. With Hearts and Aberdeen in the other semi-final on Easter Weekend, Celtic could face other of them if they progress.
