Celtic currently trail their rivals by 21 points and Lennon was far from enthusiastic when discussing their title prospects
The headlines have been dominated by numerous eye-catching statements from Neil Lennon’s extraordinary press conference.
The Celtic boss railed against Andy Walker, the press and the Scottish Government, but in amongst those more intense statements there nestled an admission that the club’s chances of a famous 10-in-a-row triumph look remote.
Currently 21 points behind rivals Rangers at the top of the Premiership, the champions are closer on points to sixth-placed Dundee United than they are to the league leaders.
Although they have three games in hand, Celtic are chasing a Rangers side that remains unbeaten after 24 matches.
The size of the task is clearly not lost on Lennon, who insisted his side will continue to fight while admitting that it “may be beyond us”.
Asked at Monday’s press conference if he felt Celtic had a chance of turning it around, Lennon said: “Of course. The league may be beyond us but we’ll not stop trying.
“What we have to do is start winning games on a consistent and regular basis and the players have proved they can do that.”
Barry Ferguson won five league titles in his time at Rangers, and was surprised to hear his old on-pitch foe Lennon’s admission.
Speaking on Go Radio, the Kelty Hearts manager said: “I’m surprised. ‘Maybe beyond them’, I wouldn’t expect that.
“‘We’ll keep fighting but it will be tough’. It’s a strange comment from the manager.
“Neil will know the situation, he’s been a player, he’s been a captain of the club before, he’s been successful at it.
“He knows when things are not going right, people are going to call for his head, that’s the nature of the beast.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
