Lennon buoyed by Celtic start

Neil Lennon has urged his Celtic players to maintain the high standards they have set at the start of the Scottish Premiership season.

The reigning champions are three points clear of second-placed Inverness with a game in hand after dropping just two points from their first eight games.

And manager Lennon wants his side to carry on performing in the same manner after the international break as they seek to secure a third straight title.

“Our league form has been good, we’ve set our players targets and so far they are achieving them. I’m delighted with the start we’ve made and the football we’ve been playing,” he told Celtic’s official website.

“The worrying thing now is a lot of them are away for 10 days and we hope they will all come back fit and okay.”

Although Lennon is delighted with the manner in which his side have played so far, the Northern Irishman warned that their impressive start will count for nothing unless they kick on.

“We’re in a good place at the minute, I don’t want it to be a short-term thing, though, I want it to be there until May.”

Next up for Celtic is a trip to Hibernian on October 19, when the Glasgow giants will be looking to avoid a repeat performance of last season’s 1-0 league defeat at Easter Road.