The Hoops will face their Glasgow rivals at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Celtic legend Chris Sutton has given his opinion on Neil Lennon’s future ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby in the Scottish Premiership, suggesting that he would all but secure a permanent contract with a convincing win over Rangers.
However, the former Hoops striker pointed out the high stakes, claiming that an unconvincing display would do little to ease concerns amongst some sections of the fanbase who weren’t overly pleased with his appointment, while a defeat “simply can’t happen”.
Table-topping Celtic currently sit 10 points ahead of their Glasgow rivals, who are second in the standings, but their last meeting, back in December, resulted in the Light Blues running out 1-0 winners at Ibrox following a dominant performance against the Parkhead side.
Brendan Rodgers, who was in the Hoops dugout that day, is no longer at the club, with Neil Lennon being appointed as manager until the end of the season, and although he was previously at the helm of the club, he will need to prove himself once again in his first Old Firm derby back.
“If Celtic take Rangers apart with a sensational display, I’d say the permanent job is as good as Lennon’s,” Sutton wrote in the Daily Record. “But there are still fans who are yet to be convinced by the potential of his appointment and a limp display against Rangers won’t do anything to change that opinion. In fact, it might heighten concerns.
“If they lose to Rangers at home for the first time in over eight years, it’d be a major stick with which to beat him. For the purposes of staying in the post, that simply can’t happen.”
Celtic have won 11 of the last 16 encounters between the two Glasgow sides, drawing the other five.
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