6 things we spotted from Celtic training as Neil Lennon’s Ninja gets ready for special Rangers mission

It will be a tad unfair to counsel each coaching session throughout Celtic’s wretched run of two wins in 12 video games was a sombre affair however the ever-increasing pressure wasn’t exhausting to identify.

Supervisor Neil Lennon is an open e book and one specific picture captured the Irishman trying to the sky for solutions as he trudged out of the Lennoxtown altering rooms.

That was the day earlier than the win over Lille and Celtic have not regarded again since having racked up six consecutive victories in all competitions.

However the current rejuvenation venture will rely for little until they earn a optimistic end result in opposition to Rangers in Saturday’s blockbuster conflict for the ages.

A win and Celtic’s Ten In A Row dream is properly and actually again on however a defeat to Steven Gerrard ‘s runaway leaders will open up a 19-point hole on the summit and it’ll certainly be sport over.

The stakes could not be a lot larger however the Hoops’ physique language regarded on level forward of the largest sport of the season.

Here is what Document Sport noticed from the New Yr’s day session in East Dunbartonshire.

Neil seems to be able to go

The sighs and grimaces are lengthy gone and Lennon seems to be like a person again accountable for his personal future. The Celtic lifer is aware of dissenting voices will likely be again out in power if his facet lose to Rangers however his “We’re not even considering shedding the sport” pre-match roar hints at a supervisor who has rediscovered his mojo. The stress is big however in a means that is a spot by which Lennon feels at house as he is aware of his workforce should produce the products. Rangers stay the favourites however Celtic have a supervisor who has weathered the last word storm and is prepared for extra.

Bark’s time to chunk

Celtic scouts, followers and pundits alike believed that they had landed a bonafide different to Fraser Forster after the massive Englishman’s runaway bride routine in the summertime. However there is no method to gown it up, the 26-year-old has been a flop since his £5m transfer from AEK Athens. Barkas has been dropped twice and struggled mightily to make any saves of observe outwith a powerful efficiency away to Ross County in September. However Lennon is backing him to maintain Rangers at bay and that vote of confidence seems to have labored. The Greek worldwide was snapped grinning from ear to ear after his clear sheet in opposition to Dundee United. And maybe that is all that is wanted, a confidence surge forward of the massive one. Now he should produce a efficiency to back-up his lofty switch price.

Celtic’s Ninja returns

Leigh Griffiths’ Celtic purpose file is up there with among the membership’s all-time finest however his prolonged time frame away from the the pitch in recent times means he has grow to be a peripheral determine on this fixture. However his current exploits are a reminder that the 29-year-old continues to be a key man his partnership with Odsonne Edouard could have Steven Gerrard’s consideration. There is no probability he’ll sneak up on the Rangers boss however Griffiths’ bunnet and snood combo had him wanting like a Ninja earlier than the massive one. Lennon will hope his ahead can chop their rivals all the way down to dimension.

Leap of religion

Shane Duffy might come again into competition however it will be a serious shock if Nir Bitton did not get the nod to companion Kris Ajer on the coronary heart of the defence at Ibrox if Chris Jullien misses out. The £7m man faces a sweat to make the squad after his nasty knee knock in opposition to Dundee United. And the Israeli was doing all the pieces to catch his supervisor’s eye as he ripped by a routine that may make Joe Wicks sweat. Bitton is the last word utility man and was glorious in his most up-to-date victory to Ibrox. His calmness is in possession is a crucial commodity in the course of the warmth of the derby.

Magic Mike Half 4?

For a participant who has been beset by accidents in recent times, Mikey Johnston is all the time within the combine forward of a visit to Ibrox. He has began the final three video games away to Rangers and was glorious within the 2-0 win final season as his inch-perfect move set-up Odsonne Edouard’s opener. The 21-year-old is Lennon’s kind of participant and there is an argument that he might present the “pizazz” Lennon has been craving on the high of the diamond. The playmaker definitely regarded unfazed in the course of the session at Lennoxtown.

A captain’s honour

Scott Brown is a protracted shot to begin on Saturday however that did not cease the skipper finishing up his traditional routine to the letter. It was comprehensible he received the nod in opposition to Hearts to safe the quadruple Treble however it will be a serious shock if he unseated in-form Ismail Soro within the coronary heart of the midfield. The 35-year-old insists the workforce comes first and he’s nonetheless main by instance at Lennoxtown. It may be Baltic however the membership’s legendary chief was setting the tempo in his trademark shorts and t-shirt look. If he would not characteristic then Brown will undoubtedly be essentially the most vocal onlooker inside an empty Ibrox.