Lennon lets fly after Celtic lose title advantage

(PA)

Neil Lennon castigated his defence after Celtic's shock 3-2 defeat at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last night left Rangers in pole position in the race for the Scottish Premier League title.

Celtic travelled to the Tulloch Caledonian stadium knowing even a draw would see them take over at the top of the table. However, Caley got off to a dream start in the seventh minute when striker Adam Rooney (above) had his flick deflected past goalkeeper Fraser Forster by Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew.

Kris Commons levelled less than two minutes later but the visitors' rearguard all but collapsed in a remarkable second half and goals from Grant Munro and Shane Sutherland, before Commons scored an injury-time penalty, gave the Highlanders an unlikely victory.

"We are better than that," said Lennon. "We have been very good defensively all season but the back four were really poor the second half.

"Some players picked today of all days to have their poorest game of the season. The two full-backs were poor today. The two centre-halves were poor

"Defensively we were very poor," he added, "and if you play like that you don't deserve to win any game."

Top two: Remaining fixtures

Sat 7 May Rangers v Hearts

Sun 8 May Kilmarnock v Celtic

Tues 10 May Rangers v Dundee Utd

Weds 11 May Hearts v Celtic

Sun 15 May Celtic v Motherwell, Kilmarnock v Rangers.