He was right. For probably the only time this season in terms of the SPL campaign, Celtic Park had a pulse on Saturday afternoon.

The Celtic supporters left the ground with a spring in their step and the kind of warm glow that comes from snatching an improbable victory with the last strike of the ball.

When Georgios Samaras swung out an acrobatic boot to net with an overhead kick and complete a thrilling comeback for Celtic, the stadium rocked with an energy and a vibrancy that has been evident only throughout the European adventure this term. It all seemed to matter.

Even the Greek international uncharacteristically allowed the mean and moody look to slip as he and his team-mates celebrated with gusto.

The league campaign was a foregone conclusion before a ball was kicked this season, but at the weekend the Celtic players showed heart and spirit to dig themselves out of a hole that had been entirely of their own making.

The comeback had been an unlikely one as they trailed 3-1, having failed to capitalise on a command they had taken of the game after a mere 12 seconds – the fastest goal in SPL history – when Kris Commons put them in front. Most observers sat back and expected the goals to mount up.

That they did; just not in the order expected.

When Celtic went in at the break on level terms due to Scott Vernon's leveller, most would have expected a few colourful pointers from Lennon to pep up his fragile side.

Instead, the manager was given one of the strongest indicators yet that this summer his plans will revolve around shoring up what has become an increasingly soft centre.

Kelvin Wilson has won round many of his critics this season with a relatively assured campaign, but he was miles off the pace at the weekend.

He allowed Vernon to get in about him, and when Josh Magennis netted twice more before the hour mark, both Wilson and Efe Ambrose looked like they were playing with a ton of sand in their boots.

Even Fraser Forster, whose performances have been of such a standard that he has got himself into the England squad, has looked shy of his best since he has returned from a neck injury.

Lennon confirmed afterwards that the keeper was playing with a slight groin strain and there certainly seemed to be a sluggishness about the stopper.

The other aspect of Celtic's play that won't be lost on Lennon is the increasing dependence on goals from set-pieces; the three goals that sunk Aberdeen all came from corners. Charlie Mulgrew, Gary Hooper and, finally, Samaras, all netted via a flag kick.

While their potency from that position and from free-kicks has been a significant weapon in their armoury this season, particularly in Europe, in recent weeks there has been a lack of invention and creativity in Celtic's open play.

Commons was industrious and quick on the ball at the weekend but many of those around him were slow at reading the pass or making the most of the opportunities.

Anthony Stokes still looks shy of the kind of form he is capable of, while in the central pastures Beram Kayal has struggled to live up to the displays he put in regularly in his inaugural season with the club.

There was always going to be an inevitability about the fact Celtic's standards would slip in the latter weeks of a campaign that has been fought on two fronts given the margin of the lead they hold in the SPL.

But there is a Scottish Cup semi-date looming with Dundee United and there is a little bit of pressure now on Celtic to produce in it.

Having being knocked out of the League Cup at the semi- final stage by St Mirren, they will want to atone and have a focal point for the remaining weeks of the season.

Failure to land the other piece of silverware on offer this season would effectively mean that the campaign finishes with something of a damp squib, and Lennon will be desperate to rouse his players for a triumphant finale.

They found a bit of desire on Saturday but they need to tap into that same commitment between now and May if they want to get their hands on a domestic double.

The motivation was there to fight for it against Aberdeen, but that now has to be married to a stronger spine throughout the side.