NEIL Lennon described Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock as “perfect” after his No.5 Jozo Simunovic scored on 67 minutes to ensure Billy McNeill's tribute day at Parkhead ended with the legendary captain's beloved club needing only one more point to seal eight-in-a-row.

Anything other than a Rangers victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox today will see Celtic win their 50th league title.

After this afternoon’s fixtures there are three games remaining. If Rangers can win the gap remains at nine points with nine still to play for.

It was fitting that Simunovic, who now wears the number McNeill did for 790 games, got his goal when he did, a tribute to the Lisbon Lions, and it was even a header which Celtic’s greatest captain would have been proud of himself.

Lennon said: “It’s amazing when you think about it. That was a perfect way to win the game I suppose under the circumstances with everything that’s happened this week and today.

READ MORE: Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 0: Fairytale No.5 goal after 67 minutes takes Celtic to brink of title on emotional day

“The big man might have been looking down on us when we needed a goal.

“Jozo has been outstanding for me since I’ve come in. I want my centre-halves to attack the ball more and he’s doing that on a regular basis. I’m pleased with the win, pleased with the second half and it’s a great three points.

“I don’t think we were nervous. We have been playing like that for a while. We are due to give someone a real going over pretty soon. The sooner the better for my liking.

“They did overcome an obstinate hurdle today, so tomorrow will bring whatever. We know we need a point now just to guarantee it. I don’t know if I’ll watch it. I might do what Fergie does. I might go golfing or something like that. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.”

Celtic were far from convincing which Lennon put down to the pressure on a group of players close to making history for the third season in a row.

Lennon said: “The supporters were getting a bit nervous but that’s understandable. Listen, at this stage of the season, unless you have real momentum, there is always going to be anxiety and nerves around the place.

“I look at Norwich and Leeds in the English Championship. They have been brilliant all season, but Norwich have drawn the last four and Leeds lost their last two.

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“We are comfortable in the league position but there is so much expectation on these players at the minute for what they’ve created and achieved – and there is so much asked of them all the time.

“They are human beings and they can’t always play scintillating football. Right now, we are grinding. I get that. But we are grinding in the right way. We are winning games and keeping clean sheets.

“It’s not what we want, obviously. I would love us to be 4-0 up and I’m sitting there comfortably thinking ‘this is brilliant.’ We are not playing as well as we can.

“And before anyone says it…it’s not my fault either.”

Celtic were yesterday linked with Silas Wamangituka, a striker from French second-tier club Paris FC.

Lennon said: “I was in Paris. It wasn’t him. I was looking at a player out there. I’m not going to give you his name. Again, we are just looking at players. It’s my job still to recommend players. I’m doing my job.”

Steve Clarke, the Kilmarnock manager, was rightly proud of his players.

He said: "It says everything about where we are where we are in the league. We have a good squad of players and they always apply themselves for the football club.

"They work hard every week and every day in training and you see it when they come to pitch they can perform. We have a good squad. We didn't fluke our way into the top six, we have good players. They deserve a little break in the remaining three games and hopefully it starts next week at Tynecastle."