Neil Lennon – the last Celtic manager to win a treble in 2020 - believes that Ange Postecoglou’s League Cup holders and champions elect can follow in his footsteps because they possess more match-winners than Michael Beale can call on.
He argues that those matchwinners should deliver at Hampden to earn the Hoops a third successive victory over their derby rivals this year in today’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
And, having cleared that hurdle, The Irishman claims it’s inevitable that Celtic will go on to claim a fifth treble in just seven years next month.
The statistics tend to support Lennon’s theory. While Rangers have scored an impressive 95 goals in their 40 domestic matches this season, the Hoops have racked up 128 from the same number.
Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota, Liel Abada and Daezan Maeda have netted 63 times between them in the current campaign while Antonio Colak, Alfredo Morelos, Malik Tillman and Ryan Kent have managed just 44 goals.
Recent form also favours Celtic - Rangers have only one win from the last eight derbies and that after having won six of the previous seven.
Lennon also contends that there is more pressure on the Cup holders to prevent Celtic claim-ing another clean sweep of domestic honours than there will be on Postecoglou’s players to achieve it.
“There’s pressure on both sets of players because – with no disrespect to Falkirk or Inverness – whoever wins this one will go on to win the Cup,” he stressed.
“Celtic will be determined to win another treble while Rangers fans will be demanding that their team puts a stop to that.
“Of course, the psychological aspect comes into it as well after Celtic won the last league game 3-2 at Parkhead and Rangers lost at Aberdeen on Sunday.
“Celtic have the edge over Rangers at the minute and, no matter how well Rangers think they’re playing, Celtic seem to be mentally stronger.
“People have said Celtic didn’t play so well in the last derby but these games are never easy, no matter what the context is.
“You have two groups of players who will give everything to get this one over the line but I have to admire Celtic’s strength. They’re also ruthless at times.
“Rangers have been trying to bang on the door and break it down but, for whatever reason, they keep losing these games.
“In the League Cup final Celtic were the superior team by far and Michael Beale’s side have a huge job on their hands to stop them.”
Lennon experienced 52 Celtic and Rangers clashes as player and manager, winning 27 and drawing seven of them, and he’s seen enough upsets in these encounters to realise that another Celtic success isn’t a gimme.
“There’s no question that Celtic will be favourites but that was also the case this time last year yet Rangers were the ones who won it after extra time,” he claimed.
“So, yes, Celtic have the edge but I would never predict the outcome of this particular fixture with any confidence. I’ve played and managed in too many of them for that.
“It all comes down to what happens on the day and that can be anything so it’s going to be another fascinating watch.
“What’s also really important in the semi-final is that you’ll have a proper atmosphere because it’ll be a 50-50 split in terms of the fans.
“That might help Rangers, who showed a bit of belief in that last game at Parkhead [when there were no Rangers fans present] but still conceded three goals.
“However, if they’re complacent in any way or if they make basic errors again then Celtic will destroy them because that’s what they do.”
