Celtic Forums

NEIL Lennon has thanked Celtic supporters for their backing throughout the campaign, during which the SPL title was delivered back to its rightful place at Paradise.

And the Celtic manager is urging fans to join him and the team again next season as they bid to retain the championship and reach the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.



It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the Hoops last season as they overturned a 15-point deficit to win the title by an incredible 20 points. And the manager knows that it couldn’t have been achieved without the faithful backing of the Celtic supporters throughout the campaign.

"I just wanted to re-iterate my thanks to each and every supporter who has backed the team this season,” the manager told the official Celtic website.
“The title win is shared by us all, players, management, staff, supporters and everyone connected with the club.

“Our fans this season have been unbelievable and vital to our success - Celtic Park has yet again been a brilliant place to play football, it has come alive in recent seasons and the reception the players have been given has been tremendous."

“Our job now is to build on this season and take the club forward once again and that is what we will be aiming to do.”



Already, the manager is putting his plans together for season 2012/13, with the UEFA Champions League qualifier looming at the end of July.

His aim is to get the team back into the group stages of the competition, which is where a club of Celtic’s stature should be, and that can only bring more excitement to Celtic Park in the months ahead.

“Crucial to further success are our supporters and it is very important we re-create what we have done this season,” the manager said. “To achieve success we need the atmosphere and vibrancy of a full Celtic Park.

“The colour, noise and energy of our fans is something we are so proud of and we all know when we are at our best, there is no place like it in football.



“The scenes on Sunday were fantastic and it was a massive honour to be part of such an occasion as Celtic manager in front of 60,000 fans. This is what we want to deliver again and this is what we want all our fans to experience again.

“We have played some great football this year and next season we will be aiming to do even better - improvement is what we all strive for. We also have a big test ahead of us as we aim for Champions League football - this is a big ask but its definitely not beyond us and it is a real challenge which we relish.”

The manager declared at the end of last season that ‘this is only the beginning,’ and he and his team were true to their word, winning the title back.

He has also identified the unity which exists between the team and the fans, and it has been one of the great strengths of Celtic. That will be vital again as the Hoops strive to retain the SPL title and make inroads into Europe.

“We want our fans to watch an exciting, attacking Celtic team in a packed Celtic Park full of atmosphere,” he said.

“We need our fans to do what they have done this season and back us as only they can. Together I know we can deliver another exciting and successful season.”