Lennon livid over Celtic´s defensive lapses

Neil Lennon slammed his side’s ‘calamitous’ defending after Celtic blew a chance to top the Scottish Premier League as they threw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

South Korean international Ki Sung-Yeung gave Celtic the lead and a fine solo goal from substitute Paddy McCourt after the break looked to have sealed all three points.

But Inverness pulled one back when Richie Foran capitalised on a defensive mistake between centre-halves Daniel Majstorovic and Thomas Rogne before Grant Munro headed in eight minutes from time to snatch a point.

It was the second successive weekend Celtic have drawn at home after they conceded an injury time equaliser to Dundee United in their previous match. The result leaves Celtic two points behind rivals Rangers, whose match with Dundee United on Sunday was postponed because of snow.

Lennon was left fuming at two more dropped points.

“The first goal is slapstick defending. They are two centre-halves who are pretty consistent but just gave a simple goal away without the opposition having to work for it and without being under any real pressure,” Lennon groaned.

“It’s starting to creep in a little bit and it’s something we have to eradicate very, very quickly.

“We were 2-0 up and looking comfortable. I think it is a bit of complacency, slackness and a lack of concentration and it’s not good enough.

“I think the manner of the first goal deflates the team. Players have to hold their hands up and take responsibility sometimes.

“We have to eradicate the simple mistakes. It is calamitous the goals we are giving away at the minute and we have to deal it with it quickly.”

Celtic lost captain Shaun Maloney to injury early in the match but their manager says other players in the team need to show leadership as well.

“No one is taking the game by the scruff of the neck, except for the likes of Paddy McCourt,” Lennon said.

“When you are 2-1 up you have to try and see it through but again we are not mentally strong enough to do that.

“We played far better last week than we did this week and throughout the spine of the team there was a lot of very below par performances.”

Inverness, who were beaten 6-0 on their last visit to Celtic Park on league cup duty earlier this season, are now unbeaten away from home in the league in a year, including visits to both sides of the Old Firm.

Boss Terry Butcher was delighted with the spirit his side showed.

“They have great character. It’s confidence as well,” the former England international said.

“We’ve had that year run and we’ve been to Rangers, Tannadice, Hibs and St Mirren where we were a goal down and played poorly in the first-half and then came back.

“So there’s a lot of belief. The lads know they can play and there is a lot of respect from the lads for each other and themselves.

“The unit is a very strong unit and they have gone through a lot together.

“There is a real collective spirit and everybody looks after each other and protects each other. If you’ve got that then you’ve got a chance.

At Celtic eyes were on referee Alain Hamer and his linesmen from Luxembourg who had been flown in to cover for the striking Scottish officials and their first big decision was to rule out a goal for the Hoops in the 23rd minute.

“I think he did fine, I have no qualms with the referee at all,” Lennon said.

Butcher concurred.

“If you don’t really remember much about the referee then he has had a good game.”