NEIL LENNON hailed his players for their efforts in the 2-1 win over St Mirren
The Boxing Day victory over Jim Goodwin’s outfit in Paisley kept the champions five points ahead at the Premiership pinnacle that could be extended to eight if they overcome Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at Parkhead on Sunday.
The win over the battling Buddies was the Hoops’ 11th successive league triumph and first-half goal from Callum McGregror and James Forrest kept the team on course for a ninth consecutive title.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “It was a pretty comfortable performance. I would have liked a more emphatic scoreline. But they’re giving everything, playing well and creating good chances.
“There was a bit of mental fatigue at the end which I get, but it’s a great win which keeps the run going and we look forward to Sunday.”
Lennon, who confirmed Ivorian midfielder Ismaili Soro is among the names on the target list, piled praise of Odsonne Edouard, who created the goals for McGregor and Forrest and had two efforts ruled out in dodgy circumstances by a flag-happy linesman.
He added: “I thought at times he was sublime. His vision and he’s so deceptive with his feet. He’s an outstanding centre-forward. I’m pretty sure he’ll start on Sunday. He makes us better.
“He’s a threat and I like his physicality. He comes to life in the final third and he’s such a clever player. His ball for Jamesy was sublime, the timing and weight was perfect. His all-round game is very good and he gives the team a lot of confidence when he plays.
“He’s in outstanding form as the majority of them are. They’re playing really well.”
The visit of Gerrard and Co will bring down the curtain on a decade in which the Hoops have won eight championships with nine in their sights.
They have already beaten the Govan outfit twice in this campaign, 2-0 at Ibrox at the start of September and 1-0 in the Betfred League Cup Final when Christopher Jullien scored the only goal of the latest Hampden triumph.
