Celtic are one loss from worst winning SPL tally

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Celtic are one loss from worst winning SPL tally

CELTIC are just one defeat away from posting the lowest ever winning tally in the history of the SPL championship.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon was fuming after defeat to Ross County
Celtic manager Neil Lennon was fuming after defeat to Ross County

That's a record manager Neil Lennon is not prepared to accept – and that's a message he has delivered loud and clear to his players.

The last-minute defeat to Ross County at the weekend means the reigning champions have already shipped 28 points in the defence of their title, and the most they can now achieve is 86. The current lowest title-winning total is 84 points, set by the Parkhead club in 2006-07 when, like this season, they qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.

If Lennon's side lose one more game, or draw two of the remaining eight, they will not be able to match even that number.

Paradoxically, even having failed to win two thirds of their fixtures this term, the Hoops could still clinch the title before the split if nearest challengers Motherwell, Ross County, Inverness and St Johnstone continue to drop points.

But Lennon is demanding his side – who have lost their last two SPL games, at Fir Park then Dingwall – regain the winning thread and don't just fall over the finishing line.

Asked if some of his Bhoys have switched off, he replied tersely: "It looks to me as though some of them have done.

"We emphasised to them how important it was to go to Dingwall and win.

"Look, if we're not going to win it, then don't lose it. But the third goal was absolutely shambolic. It was inexcusable. And the second goal, to be fair, was poor as well."

Lennon fears some of his big names, and a few lesser lights, have been "tapped up" and no longer have their minds on the job.

So he will spend this week assessing the mentality and physical condition of all his squad to ensure there is no repeat of the Dingwall debacle when they face Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday.

His mind is already projecting beyond this season, and the warning has been posted that a consistent and professional attitude is all that will keep players at the club.

He said: "Some of them look as though they don't want to be here any more.

"It's the inconsistency in attitude of the players which angers me most.

"I makes me think for now, never mind the summer. That's two league games on the bounce we've lost which we should not have done, and it's not acceptable."

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