Celtic will complete a third successive treble if they win the Scottish Cup final on May 25
Sunday 5 May 2019 09:00, UK
Interim boss Neil Lennon savoured the moment and paid tribute to predecessor Brendan Rodgers after Celtic clinched their eighth successive Scottish Premiership title with a 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The Parkhead club can now complete an unprecedented domestic treble-treble if they beat Hearts in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on May 25.
Lennon, who returned to Celtic in February on a deal until the end of the season when Rodgers suddenly left for Leicester City, admitted it had been "the toughest piece of management I have had in 10 years of management", but he was also keen to enjoy the title success.
The Northern Irishman said: "On the outside it probably looks easy but on the inside there was a lot of discontent and agitation around the club at the time. You had to keep calm.
"You need the hide of a rhinoceros and big cojones. I'm not sure I have got them but I certainly have a rhino hide. You need to bat it away and concentrate.
"Some of the performances weren't great but we are unbeaten in 11 games so the standard and expectation is very, very high. We need to take some time, even the supporters, to take stock and enjoy the moment. This is eight titles, it has not been done for a very long time.
"So it is a special group of players and the fans should engage in that and not think about nine and 10.
"Just enjoy the moment and then look forward to next week, going there [Rangers] as champions and the cup final as well."
Lennon took time to praise Rodgers, who secured the two previous titles before moving back to England.
He said: "It is a privilege to manage this club, it is the second time of doing it. I am so proud of the players at the way they handled the occasion.
"I have to give Brendan a huge amount of credit, I can't forget that. I don't want to miss him out.
"He obviously left the foundations and his legacy is very much intact here. From manager to manager, we owe him a great debt of thanks."
