NEIL Lennon believes Scott Brown’s injury-time winner over Hamilton last night has given Celtic a huge boost ahead of the Betfred Cup final with Rangers on Sunday.
A last-minute goal by substitute Marios Ogkmpoe at Parkhead appeared to have denied Lennon’s side a narrow 1-0 win.
However, Brown netted in the second minute of added on time to secure a thrilling 2-1 triumph and send the treble treble winners two points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Lennon, who is missing several key players and who made three changes to his starting line-up, admitted he had been disappointed with how his team performed.
However, he feels the dramatic finale, which stretched Celtic’s winning run to 11 games, has given Celtic a lift going into the meeting with their city rivals this weekend.
"It'’s a huge goal,” he said. “We have won 11 games in a row and we are two points clear.
"We were flat and we were tired mentally at the end. Hamilton equalised and then we come to life again.
"We deserved to win, but you could just feel even before the game that it would be difficult.
"However, I am delighted we won, I am thrilled for the players and I understand why it was a bit flat.
"But I didn't enjoy it. It's the psychology of sport - people are asking about the cup final and subconsciously that was playing on their minds."
Lennon added: “It's a big win, but is it pivotal? Not really. All wins are important and will determine the title.
"There is still a long way to go and I just hope we keep our noses in front.
"Last week people were talking about goal difference, now it'll be about us being two points clear."
"We are two points ahead but don't listen to the noise. But you will see a different team on Sunday - physically and mentally.
"Big game players come up in big moments. Fraser (Forster) made a big save and then Scott scored. He's massive for us.”
Lennon felt that Hamilton’s last minute equaliser should have been chalked off for an infringement in the build-up to it.
"It shouldn't have counted as Alec Gogic is on the pitch when he takes the throw,” he said.
"But we should have dealt with it and we got a bit deeper. We were passive at times but we have won.”
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