FROM NEIL DOHERTY: HOOPS boss Neil Lennon was delighted with a 3-0 win over Dunfermline at East End Park today, making sure there was no hangover from last week’s Old Firm win.
Rangers also won 3-0 today.
Lennon singled out the performances of Charlie Mulgrew and Anthony Stokes after today’s game.
Stokes hit Celtic’s first-half opener from distance and Mulgrew was provider for the second before scoring the third from a superb free-kick.
“Anthony is very instinctive and he always gets chances,” said Lennon after the game.
“Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t. But the moment it left his foot it was in the top corner.”
Stokes’ super strike from the edge of the Dunfermline penalty area gave Celtic a lead in the 18th minute, before Victor Wanyama volleyed in Mulgrew’s free-kick at the back post.
Mulgrew turned scorer in the 69th minute with a curling free-kick that evaded Pars keeper Chris Smith to seal the win and the three points.
Boss Lennon was delighted with the performance from his players.
“The team was great, and there was some very good individual performances,” said Lennon. “But to come away and win so well on the back of Wednesday, I was delighted.
“We had to be patient today, because Dunfermline got a lot of people behind the ball and that made all the difference. But a piece of individual brilliance from Anthony got us going and after that I thought we were in total control of the game.
“He’s looked good in training and he’s fresh after his little injury. For me, watching him over the last couple of days was a no-brainer to put him back in. He totally justified his selection today.”
Mulgrew had a great game today.
“Charlie’s delivery for the second goal was magnificent and it was another piece of individual brilliance,” said Lennon.
“He hits the ball so well and put a bit of bend and dip on it – it’s a great asset for us to have. I’m pleased with his overall performances this year – he’s looking back to the performances he had last year.”
Defender Emilio Izaguirre is back from injury – leaving the Celtic manager very happy.
“What a huge boost it is – he’s nearly there,” said Lennon.
“To have him in the second half of the season – you can see it in the little cameo he had today what he brings to the team.
“He’s been at me all week asking ‘come on, gaffer, when am I playing?’ but we don’t want to rush him back to early and lose him again.
“We can see he’s slowly but surely starting to get back to where he was last season.”
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