CELTIC are top of the league.

And, though it is not the SPL – even after their sixth straight win in the championship – it is still a huge source of pride to manager Neil Lennon.

The 1-0 victory over Hearts –courtesy of Victor Wanyama's first-ever goal for the club and a late penalty save by Fraser Forster – ensured the Hoops remain just four points behind Rangers in the title race.

However, the rammy at the final whistle, sparked when skipper Scott Brown responded to provocation from some Hearts players in his inimitable arms-spread-as-wide-as-his-smile style, took some of the headlines which Lennon believes should have been reserved for his team's gritty performance.

In what can be a tousy clash – Kris Commons was red-carded when they met at Tynecastle earlier in the campaign – the Parkhead boss was delighted not one of his players was cautioned, while three of the opposition found their way into referee Calum Murray's book.

Lennon is justifiably proud of the club's disciplinary record, the best in the SPL.

They have had Commons and Charlie Mulgrew sent off this season, the latter for two bookings at Ibrox, while Daniel Majstorovic was also red-carded in Sion.

But they have only had 17 cautions in their opening 18 SPL games – Motherwell are next best on 22 – and Lennon believes this will reap rewards the deeper into the battle for the title they stretch.

He said: "We pride ourselves on discipline. We want the players to play with aggression, but controlled aggression.

"Players are no good to me if they're sitting in a hot bath with half an hour of the game to go, and I've told them that.

"We're big on discipline and playing the game the right, way, and I think the players adhere to that."

The key to this game plan is to stand your ground, fight your corner, but remain within the rules.

Celtic did that against Hearts. As a result, their focus remained on grabbing a late lead, then holding onto it as Paulo Sergio's side pushed for the equaliser.

Forster's penalty stop from Eggert Jonsson, just after he had pulled off a wonderful reaction save from Stephen Elliot's back-heel, made him as much of a hero as goalscorer Wanyama, who had been adjudged to have handled in the box for the award.

But Lennon also heaped praise on captain Brown, a half-time replacement for Glenn Loovens, who suffered another hamstring injury which is almost certain to rule him out of Thursday's Europa League tie against Udinese.

Brown is carefully stepping up his game-time, and Lennon is delighted to have his influence on tap once again.

The manager knows only too well what his skipper brings to the side, and said: "In the bounce game we had last midweek, we had some really young lads involved.

"For them to play alongside Scott, and receive the on-field coaching he gives them, was tremendous. You know what? It's a sign of maturity.

"People will look at him on Saturday and think he's back to his old tricks, but he is not. He has played in a very controlled manner against Hearts. I thought it was a really good performance from him.

"We're really pleased with Scott, and he knows what we think of him."

In his absence, Wanyama and Beram Kayal have formed a good partnership in the engine room, prompting some to ask how the manager can lever Brown back into his starting XI.

Indeed, with Kayal and Wanyama so young, and the likes of Joe Ledley and Ki Sung-Yueng also improving, there were even those who questioned the necessity to offer Brown a new, five-year contract.

Lennon believes the answers were delivered on Saturday. "All the players raised their game a bit when he came on at half-time," said the manager.

"There was a better tempo to our game, and we had a cutting edge. Anthony Stokes was very unlucky with his header that came off the bar, and we had another couple of chances before we actually got the goal.

"I felt we were in control of the game. But, at 0-0, it is always a concern for you.

"But Cha Du-Ri played David Templeton then Andy Driver very, very well, and drove the game for us going forward. I thought he was brilliant."

Lennon conceded it was not the best performance of late, but, more importantly, it did extend their winning run.

"I never felt we hit top gear," said the manager. "But, credit Hearts for that."

All of which might have counted for much less than three points had Forster not performed his heroics when finally called upon in the closing minutes.

"He reacted very well to make the save from the back-heel," said Lennon. "But the penalty stop was fantastic. It was a good penalty kick, and he got down brilliantly and punched it away.

"I've been teasing him for a while that he never saves penalties. He never goes the right way, never mind saves one, so that will do him the world of good."