Lennon thrilled with title triumph

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has hailed his team’s Scottish Premier League title win on Saturday as the best day of his career.

Celtic needed just a point against Kilmarnock to clinch a 43rd league title, but wrapped up the championship in style with a 6-0 thrashing.

It was a measure of revenge against a Kilmarnock side who upset Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final last month.

Doubles from Charlie Mulgrew and Gary Hooper, along with goals from Glenn Loovens and Joe Ledley sealed the emphatic victory at Rugby Park, which was three quarters full of away support.

After the final whistle, Lennon told ESPN: “It’s the best day of my professional life. It’s been a long time coming. It’s been two years in the waiting.

“I’m so proud of them. They deserve it. We have been the best team in Scotland by a long way and we have finished it in the right way.”

The 40-year-old has had a turbulent career as Celtic manager, including a high profile touchline clash with Ally McCoist at Celtic Park last season, as well as receiving death threats and hate mail.

The former club captain was defiant when asked about his troubled tenure, and paid tribute to everyone who contributed to Celtic’s success.

“I’ve been here 12 years and they’ve thrown everything at me,” Lennon said.

“I couldn’t have done it without the club, the players, fans and my family. I follow in the footsteps of (former managers) Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, who had a great influence on my career.”