Neil Lennon: This Celtic side is special - they haven't received the credit their achievements are due

The Parkhead club became the first in Scottish football history to complete three consecutive domestic trebles last season.

And this term they have won the Betfred Cup for the fourth time in a row and topped their Europa League group as they qualified for the last 32 of that competition.

Lennon, whose side can go eight points clear of Rangers in the Ladbrokes Premiership if they beat their nearest challengers at home tomorrow, believes they deserve greater acclaim.

Asked if he thought the Celtic players were getting the credit they merit for their accomplishments, he said: “No, they are not. I don’t know why.

“This group here have improved. There’s no question of that. They have improved performances, maturity, their dominance. It’s not an easy thing to do and they keep going and going.

“In the end, people switch off to that because they just take it for granted. I can’t and I don’t think they are getting the credit they deserve this year.

“Maybe it’s because I’m the manager, I don’t know. If someone else was the manager they might get all the glitz and glamour that goes with it, but I think it’s getting underplayed what they’ve done in the first half of the season.

“Not by me, though. I’m absolutely thrilled and really proud of them. I’d like them to finish off what has been a great year for me personally and the club on a high."

Lennon added: “Certainly in terms of trebles. I don’t think we’ll see that again. You never know in football, but I think they are very special.

“And I think there are some very special individuals in there and they bring out the best in the rest of the group.

"This squad finds that little bit extra at times and they have great leaders in Scott Brown and Callum McGregor.

"Fraser Forster and Christopher Jullien have added something and Kristoffer Ajer is a good type. There is a good core and they have that winning mentality.

"Sometimes you leave them to manage the dressing room and you need your architects in there.

"But we do give them a prod at times just to steer them in the right direction when needed."

Lennon played in a Celtic team that recorded 25 consecutive league wins during the 2003/04 season.

He believes this current Parkhead team, who stretched their winning run in the top flight to 11 games with their triumph over St Mirren in Paisley on Boxing Day, could match that.

"It's too early to say," he said. "We drew at Dunfermline on the opening day and then went on a long run of wins.

"That's probably the best Celtic team I played in, the year after Seville.

"We have a bit to go to match that team, but they have the potential to do that.

"The mental strength is great at the moment and we have so much attacking intent. We are creating a lot of chances."

Lennon has a full squad of players to choose from for the game against Rangers and is hopeful Celtic can end 2019 by winning at Parkhead and moving eight points clear of their opponents.

"We have no fresh injuries," he said. "Everyone is okay. Jeremie Frimpong didn't train on Christmas Day as he had a bit of a throat infection. But he came through the game okay and Jonny Hayes should be fully fit too.

“But you shouldn’t be judged on one game. This the 64th game of the year. It’s incredible. The win ratio must be around the 70 or 80 per cent mark.”