Celtic manager Neil Lennon praised his players after they ground out a 2-1 win over Aberdeen this afternoon that has them 10 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they aim to retain their title.
The Hoops had a 13-point advantage over Rangers for a brief period today before their neighbours beat Livingston 1-0 at Ibrox.
Lennon was jubilant at full time after Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer's winner in the 81st minute secured all three points.
“I’m thrilled. It’s a massive win in treacherously difficult conditions to play football.
"All credit goes to the players. They dug out a massive result for us. You can’t always play quick, slick football and they had to grind it out today.
“It’s a good sign to get the result. It shows the character, resilience and that they’re a team.
"There’s good solidarity within them and they keep going.
"The fitness levels are great as well but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves, there’s still a lot of football to be played. In the context of the run that we’re on it’s a big win.”
Celtic title aspirations
Tactical changes in the second half, when the sides were level at 1-1 proved crucial in determining the outcome of this game.
“It worked quite well for us and we started creating good opportunities.
“Jonny had a great chance and then we scored and then Odsonne had a great chance. The change helped the players, there’s no question of that.
“Jamesy opened the pitch right up and the pass was perfectly weighted. Kris showed a lot of composure to finish it off. It was a great goal and an important goal.
“We didn’t want to drop points but it was looking like it, and a point at Pittodrie sometimes can be a decent result. In these conditions, the game could have gone either way but we came up with a really important piece of football.
“A point away from home isn’t the worst result in the world but we’re always trying to think of getting a goal. The subs we brought on were forward thinking players and the ones who could create something.”
Lennon was also keen to praise and thank the travelling fans who made the trip in stormy conditions.
“I appreciate the fans making a long trek in horrible conditions.
“I appreciate everything they bring us and I thought they were magnificent today. Even at 1-1 when the game could have gone either way they were still making a lot of noise."
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