NEIL LENNON took a trip back in time as he looked to the future afer Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead this afternoon.
The triumph brought the curtain down on an eighth successive championship-winning campaign following a double strike from magical Mikey Johnston.
The Hoops made no mistake in the Scottish Cup Final dress rehearsal as they prepared to meet Craig Levein’s Edinburgh outfit in the grand finale at Hampden on Saturday.
Celtic are now 90 minutes away from a phenomenal and unprecdented treble treble of domestic silverware after three years of domestic domination.
Lennon, speaking to the club website, said: “The players have been excellent, absolutely excellent, and now we look forward to a good week.
“I really enjoyed it. It felt like the Celtic Park I know. It was beautiful, the atmosphere and everything today. The performance and connection between the players and fans rolled back the years for me.
“The fans chanting my name was a nice moment, so again you enjoy that. But it’s the whole trophy day, what it means.
THE EIGHTH WONDER…Celtic players with the glittering prize at Parkhead.
“It was a very difficult period to negotiate from a manager’s point of view. And the players have been excellent, absolutely excellent.
“We won the league by nine points and that’s a very healthy total. We’ve lost one game since December, so we’ve really put our foot on the pedal in the second half of the season.”
Lennon smiled and added: “I take credit for the win here. I picked the team!
“I’ve done my bit, but all the foundation, the platform and the players – that was down to Brendan. It’s eight-in-a-row, so we have to think about Ronny Deila’s contribution, Brendan’s and my own.
“Of course, some of the tension has gone. We’ve got the big one. People are talking about the treble now, but it’s all about the players this week and keeping them bubbling.
“They like the big games and have a big-game mentality, so we have to get the preparation right.”
Winger Johnston played himself into contention for a place at Hampden at the weekend with a two-goal flourish to bring in the three points.
The tricky frontman scored the opener inside two minutes and claimed the winner six minutes from the end with a devastating finish following an electrifying solo run from wide on the left.
Lennon has his work cut out assembling his Cup Final squad with so many candidates vying for a place in the pool that could go down in club folklore.
