GHOST grounds are beginning to give Neil Lennon the shivvers.
The Celtic boss admits the lack of crowds is getting to him after watching the nine-in-a-row champions overcome St Mirren 2-1 in Paisley last night after conceding an early goal.
The Hoops roared back to level with two headers – one from Shane Duffy and the winner from James Forrest – as they edged three points adrift of Steven Gerrard’s side with a game in hand. They have the opportunity of going back to the Premiership top spot when they take on Livingston at Parkhead on Saturday.
Lennon knows the grounds should be rocking as his team eye a historic tenth successive title, but coronavirus pandemic restrictions mean the club’s onfield exploits are being greeted by silence from empty terracings.
The Irishman, speaking to STV, admitted: “It’s difficult because there are no supporters. I think it’s really difficult for the player, especially at a big club like ours.
“You get a head of steam up in a game and normally you get the atmosphere crackling.
“It gives the players a lift and there is none of that at the minute. If the goalkeeper makes a great save, the crowd get up.
“You win a corner and it’s an important facet of the game. We are missing all that at the minute.
“So, there is a bit of adaptation, no question subconsciously that is a big miss for them.
“It’s not an excuse, but even for me winning 5-0 at the weekend, there is not a big crowd there to enjoy it and enjoy the atmosphere.
“On this occasion, it would have been great. Tannadice would have been great. We are adapting as best we can and as well as anyone.”
There will be no spectators in sight again at the weekend when Gary Holt brings his West Lothian outfit to the east end of Glasgow and Scotland’s title kings have the opportunity to climb back to the summit they have occupied for most of the past nine years.
