Lennon's joy as Rangers slip up to put Celtic in SPL driving seat

May 18 2008 Exclusive By Mark Guidi

CELTIC coach Neil Lennon reckons his side are destined to win the title after watching rivals Rangers slip up at Motherwell yesterday.

Well's 1-1 draw with Walter Smith's men leaves Gers three points and seven goals behind with a game in hand.

So the Hoops can now clinch the league at Dundee United on Thursday on a night of emotion following the death of firstteam coach Tommy Burns. The Parkhead legend scored the winner the last time Celtic wrapped up the title at Tannadice in 1981. He netted the third in a 3-2 win over Jim McLean's men after goals from Frank McGarvey and Murdo MacLeod.

And Lennon reckons Celtic are now closing in on another glory moment on Tayside following Rangers' Fir Park draw.

The Hoops could all but wrap up the title if Smith's men lose at St Mirren tomorrow night.

But a Gers victory would set up a final-day thriller.

Lennon said: "People may say the championship is now ours to lose but we need to wait and see the outcome of the St Mirren game.

"That can still have a huge say in how the league looks going into Thursday night.

"But we are in a much better position than we were a week ago.

"The five leagues I have won with Celtic have all been with a bit to spare. We've won it with at least four or five games to go.

"The two I lost in 2003 and 2005 were on the final day. The first of those was understandable after the UEFA Cup Final but two years later it was unforgivable.

"So if it does go all the way this season then I hope it is third time lucky for me.

"It would be nice to sample the feeling of doing it on the last day with all the drama.

"But United are well organised and resilient under Craig Levein.

They will be hard to break down."

Gers boss Smith admitted his side are up against it after seeing Chris Porter cancel out Christian Dailly's opener at Fir Park.

He said: "There is still a lot of football to be played but it will be a difficult task to overturn the goal difference and also get six points."