HIBS are desperate to go down in history as the first team to break Celtic’s ‘invincibles’ – but Neil Lennon insists he is more interested in the three points.
With their 2-2 draw at Parkhead back in September, the Easter Road side are one of just four teams this season to have threatened the Hoops’ domestic dominance by earning a draw.
And, having reached the significant number of 67 in their remarkable sequence, some have predicted Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering outfit could finally taste defeat if Hibs can hit peak form on home soil on Sunday.
However, with the visit of Rangers to follow on Wednesday night and a trip to Aberdeen next weekend certain to prove key in the battle for second spot, Lennon claims his focus is only on kicking off a potentially pivotal week on a positive note.
The former Celtic manager said: “Look, the unbeaten run’s going to go some time, it can’t go on forever, obviously.
“The record doesn’t faze me at all, it has nothing to do with me, it’s Celtic’s, it’s Brendan’s, it’s the players’.
“I’m just thinking about winning a game of football like I do every week.
“If we do win, it would be fantastic; if we break the record so be it, it doesn’t bother me.
“I’m only thinking about how we can perform and get something out of the game because we have two other big games coming up.
“It is just that Celtic is the next game, and we’re Celtic’s next game.
BEST
“And if the record goes I won’t lose any sleep over it and I won’t jump through hoops either. I’ll just be pleased we have beaten a very good team.
“Three points is all I am thinking about and getting some level of performance from the team to know we can compete against the best in the division.”
Celtic came in for heavy criticism for concluding their Champions League group phase with a home defeat to Anderlecht on Tuesday night and were pushed hard by Motherwell in two of the three games the pair played recently.
However, Lennon knows from his own playing experience with the Hoops that there will be plenty of motivation to brush aside their European disappointment and prove they are still untouchable in Scottish football.
He added: “In terms of the European record, you are always going to get a bit of criticism for that.
INCREDIBLE
“To not have won at home for a couple of years is probably unheard of, for Celtic.
“But they’ve been in two very, very difficult Champions League groups.
“And, domestically, they’re imperious. Four straight trophies now and still unbeaten for a year-and-a-half. That’s an incredible record.
“I’ve been in that position as a player when you have come off the back of a disappointing European result.
“You go into the game the best thing since sliced bread and after the game you’re toast!
“What you want to do is just get back out there and play again, so I am sure they’ll have their backs up.”
