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Neil Lennon has warned Celtic not to get sucked in by the triple treble hype as they prepare for their final push.<\/p>\nNeil Lennon has warned Celtic not to get sucked in by the triple treble hype as they prepare for their final push.<\/p>\n
The Ladbrokes Premiership and Betfred Cup champions stand on the brink of completing a third domestic clean sweep in a row ahead of Saturday\u2019s William Hill Scottish Cup final with Hearts.<\/p>\n
But Lennon is worried his team could let their place in history slip by taking their eye off the ball.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cHearts are a very difficult obstacle for us to overcome so there\u2019s no point me sitting here telling you how I\u2019m going to feel when we win the cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will hopefully all come at half past five on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the meantime, I\u2019m just wary of everyone talking about treble trebles and bus parades.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to play the game and not the occasion. That\u2019s the message we\u2019ll be hammering into the players over the next two days.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played the occasion and not the game when I was younger at Crewe in a play-off final at Wembley. The game passed me by completely because I got embroiled in all the build-up and the hype. It was a lesson learned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a very motivated Hearts team and for some of their players it will be their first cup final. They may never get the opportunity to win it again so they will be very hungry too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jambos boss Craig Levein knows his side are massive underdogs to beat their all-conquering Parkhead rivals.<\/p>\n
However, he believes they have one huge effort left in the tank after a grueling season.<\/p>\n
He took his squad to St Andrews this week in a bid to build in their minds the sense of occasion ahead of running out at Hampden.<\/p>\n
Lennon, on the other hand, opted to keep his team at their usual Lennoxtown base as he guarded against the threat of an overblown build-up for what may end up being the final game for many in green and white.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve tried to keep it as normal as possible and calm,\u201d revealed the Northern Irishman. \u201cTreat it like another game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s dangerous to hype the games up and make it out to be something it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is loads of hype surrounding the game anyway but we can\u2019t take any notice. We have to be professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a good edge to training this week. We reminded them of their responsibilities this week about not being on holiday mode.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that for some of them it may be their last appearance but they can\u2019t get caught up in the emotion of that either. They\u2019ve got a job to do and a trophy to win.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important they prepare as if it\u2019s the most important game of their lives, as if it\u2019s their debut never mind their last game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole focus has to be on that and not the noise surrounding anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
That noise also includes speculation over Lennon\u2019s future as he heads into the last game of his caretaker stint.<\/p>\n
But the ex-Hibernian boss stressed: \u201cIt\u2019s nothing to do with my future. This game is about the players and what they can achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Lennon is looking to lift his seventh trophy in two spells as Celtic boss, Levein is hoping to end his 38-year wait for a first major honor as either a player or manager.<\/p>\n
Lennon admits he is amazed the former Scotland boss has never enjoyed the glory of holding a cup aloft.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt does surprise me Craig\u2019s never won a trophy. He\u2019s an outstanding manager. He\u2019s been that good he has managed his country.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s turned Hearts around again. He\u2019s got longevity, he\u2019s a workaholic and I know what the club means to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be as motivated as anyone come Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearts made a really good start to the season and but for some horrendous injuries could have had a stronger season. They are formidable and we\u2019ll have to be at our best to beat them.\u201d<\/p>\n