AS NEIL LENNON pounded his way round the famous landmarks which acted as milestones during yesterday's Great Scottish Run, he could afford a contented smile.

Okay, completing the 10k along with Hoops coach Garry Parker did not come without a degree of pain.

But the pair could at least distract themselves by reflecting on seeing Celtic hit the front in the SPFL title race, and plan how they can now attempt to show the chasing pack a clean pair of heels.

Of course, Lennon is right to point out that this championship is more a marathon than a sprint, and be wary of allowing any complacency to creep up on them when the first lap of games is not even completed.

But, for the rest now trailing in their slipstream, it is an ominous sight that course-and-distance winners Celtic are back in pole position, despite having to mark off these SPFL games while also competing on Europe's main stage.

They made much heavier weather of this last season, dropping points more frquently than a poorly-rehearsed relay team drops the baton.

Either side of trying to keep up with Barcelona, Celtic blew away Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to win 5-2, then snuffed out any threat Motherwell might bring to Celtic Park as they strolled to a 2-0 victory.

Now, the two-week break for internationals will provide a timely opportunity to recover from the tiring schedule which the other clubs in the league might have hoped would trip them up.

The way Lennon is managing his resources is impressive, confirming that, like his players, he is learning as he travels this tricky road.

The loss of Georgios Samaras to a virus at the weekend did not faze the Hoops boss, despite the Greek star's growing importance to the side.

The absence of Derk Boerrigter's pace, as he recovers from an ankle knock, allied to having to ease James Forrest back into action following his viral and sciatic nerve issues, meant that hurting Motherwell with pace was another option denied Celtic, initially at least.

However, when Adam Matthews was forced out of the action after just nine minutes with a shoulder injury following a heavy challenge from Keith Lasley, Forrest was forced to join the green party much earlier than planned.

It is a measure of how much more adaptable and mature this Celtic side is that all of the hurdles placed in front of them as a result of personnel changes were cleared with consummate ease.

The exceptionally-well- taken goals from Anthony Stokes and Kris Commons typified the feelgood factor coursing through the side, even though they were coming back from the draining disappointment of losing to a late goal against Barcelona.

There is much about which the other 11 sides in the SPFL should be concerned, and, equally, much from which Lennon can take a lot of satisfaction as he checks his feet for blisters today.

"I am delighted to be top of the league, but was more delighted with the performance of the team on Saturday," he said with unconcealed pride.

"Against a very good Motherwell team, it was exceptional. We controlled the game, and some of the football and chances we created were great."

Control will be the key for the remainder of the season. Control of emotions, concentration and, ultimately, the destiny of the championship.

Now that they are in front, and with a game in hand against St Mirren, which will not be played until just before Christmas, the intention will be to avoid any slips.

The competition for places, which the formation of this squad has sharpened, should help achieve this aim.

Certainly, Lennon is getting a very good tune out of some of the key players, solo performances blending together in perfect harmony.

With Stokes and Commons pulling the strings up front, and Virgil van Dijk and Efe Ambrose note-perfect at the back when they were not bursting forward to join in the attack, it was all too much for Stuart McCall's side.

The manager said: "I thought Stokes and Commons were the two best players on the pitch, though Van Dijk and Ambrose ran them close.

"But, from an attacking point of view, the two of them were terrific. They are in really good form and my captain as well had another fine game.

"The majority of them are in a good place, and we just need to get the rest of them up to speed. We are going well at the minute."

Just as pleasing for Lennon was the fact Motherwell, curtailed by the absence of the injured James McFadden, hardly managed to lay a glove on his champions.

Indeed, it was not until six minutes from time that John Sutton managed to force Fraser Forster into a Barca-esque save with a powerful, point-blank header.

The big man did not want to join up with the England squad without a clean sheet, and was sent south with a ringing endorsement from his club boss.

"Fraser needs the stimulus of the Champions League to get the best out of him at times," said Lennon. "He can be redundant, particularly at home in the SPFL, and that takes great powers of concentration. But he has got a big-game temperament, and he has been so important to us and our success at European level in the last couple of years."

Roy Hodgson has made it clear he is not about to test that temperament just yet.

That's one less player for Lennon to worry about as he begins the anxious wait for his international stars to return and resume the race for the title.