Lennon hits out at players

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has criticised his forwards after Saturday’s draw with Hibernian saw them slip further behind in the title race.

The Hoops boss claimed that some of his squad were coasting through matches, after the 0-0 stalemate with Hibs left them 12 points adrift of bitter city rivals Rangers on the Scottish Premier League table.

“I am really angry, they let the game drift away from them and that is not acceptable,” he said.

“I would like to make changes but the way the squad is stretched it is difficult to do that.”

“There are a few who have been consistent like Ki (Sung-Yueng) and Joe Ledley but there are others at the minute who are happy to go along, riding on their backs and not really making the contribution that I want from them.”

“I have to speak to them and out them, basically. I am not happy with some of them at the minute.”

“I don’t think they are giving enough in terms of the quality of their play or effort and I will speak to them individually and tell them what I think and I am looking for a response from them.”

“But you ask them questions at times and you don’t get answers.”

Lennon, 40, singled out Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper for criticism after they both failed to capitalise on their chances in the match.

“I thought the two of them were poor today and I need some more consistency from them,” he said.

“If they are not scoring goals they need to bring something else to the team and I thought the two of them were very flat today.”

The Northern Irishman said he was not yet worried about his job being under threat but stated his side’s performances needed to improve.

“The only way I would leave the job this season is if I decide I am not taking the club forward or I am not getting the performances that the fans merit,” he said.

“When you come in 3-0 down against Kilmarnock at half-time, or against any SPL side, you have to ask questions about myself.”

“Today, I am not hugely concerned about my position, it’s more of a question of why I can’t get these players to be as consistent as last season.”