Lennon´s delight at clinical Celtic

Celtic manager Neil Lennon praised his side for Saturday’s 5-0 rout of St Mirren, hailing his goalscorers for their finishing.

Gary Hooper netted a hat-trick and Georgios Samaras and Dylan McGeouch added the other two in the Scottish Premier League match at Celtic Park, in a result that never looked in doubt for the home side.

Lennon lavished compliments about all three scorers in the match, with McGeouch, 18, scoring his first goal for the club after returning to Celtic this season.

“I couldn’t ask for any more from the players. Hooper was sensational, as was Samaras, and for a young player like McGeouch who is a Celtic fan – as is his family – it was a special moment and I’m sure he is a very proud boy tonight,” Lennon said.

“Georgios deserved a standing ovation. I couldn’t be more pleased for him. I was delighted he scored and he set the tempo for the team.”

“We know he has the talent, now we are looking for the consistency. I’m glad the fans appreciated his performance because he showed everyone what he can do.”

“Hooper looked really sharp. He is a clinical finisher and you saw all the good things in his game.”

McGeouch joined Celtic in 2008 before joining the club’s bitter rivals Rangers after falling out with management.

Lennon revealed how he managed to get the starlet back: “I went to see his parents and there were about 400,000 people outside the house. It was quite interesting,” he said.

“I think we had to pay a bit of compensation but we are very pleased that he wanted to come back and play here.”

“He might not get a better goal in his career than that and it was a great way to start his Celtic career.”

The teenager midfielder also indicated his delight at being back, stressing the manager’s role in bringing him back.

McGeoch said: “When he walked through my front door, that’s when I decided.”

“I used to go to all the games and the manager of Celtic coming in my door to sign me showed he had intentions for me.”

“I was here with my brother Darren but he wasn’t too happy so he decided to move on.”

“My mum and dad wanted me to move as well and the next best place for my development was Rangers and that’s where we decided to go.”

“I am a massive Celtic fan and to score is a dream. My family were all there and I’m sure it will mean a lot to them.”