The former Celtic player and manager has defended his old side’s most recent performance against Rangers, whose new boss Pedro Caixinha is set for his Old Firm debut a week on Sunday.
Former Bolton manager Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon has given his prediction ahead of the upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic have won two of the three meetings between the pair this season, and will go into the game as heavy favourites having amassed a 35-point lead over their Old Firm rivals in the league.
Having said that, Brendan Rodgers’ side were held to a 1-1 draw in last month’s Parkhead encounter, in which Talksport host and Celtic fan Alan Brazil admits the Bhoys weren’t at their best.
But, responding to Brazil’s assessment, Lennon offered an explanation for his old side’s shortcomings that day.
“Celtic are so far ahead, it’s hard to maintain that intensity at times,” explained the Hibernian boss. “The last Celtic, Rangers game meant far more to Rangers than it did to Celtic and it’s really hard when you’re so far ahead to keep that intensity going.”
He added: “But in a semi-final, Celtic have some of the players for it and I think they’ll be, again, probably too strong for Rangers.”
New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha in the stand at Parkhead
New Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha will get his first taste of managing in an Old Firm at Hampden Park a week on Sunday, having watched the most recent fixture from the stands.
The Portuguese is yet to lose since taking the reins at Ibrox, winning two and drawing two of his four games so far.
Celtic travel to Rangers in the league the following Saturday.
Will Celtic or Rangers win next week’s semi-final?
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