NEIL Lennon feels Celtic’s goal scoring form highlighs the excellent start the champions have made to the second half of the season and insists his side have all the attributes to successfully defend their trophies.

Celtic made it five wins from five in the second half of the season with their 4-1 away win over Hamilton Accies on Sunday which increased the lead at the top of the league table to seven points.

Currently, the Scottish champions lead the rest of Europe with the most league goals scored at 68, and the best goal difference with 53.

Neil Lennon is pleased with the stat. which he feels sheds light on the strong return Celtic have made following the winter break.

“It’s something I’m pleased with,” said the Hoops boss. “I’m delighted with the goal-scoring intent and the chances created. It could have been a lot more with the chances we’ve created over the piece, but I’m pleased with how we’re playing at the minute.

“It’s been a good response for the second half of the season. In terms of the goals we’re scoring, we’re scoring them from different places and we’ve been ruthless at times. That hasn’t always been the case. Towards the end of December we were creating good chances and missing them. The freshness of the break has brought back that zest for the goals again.

“It’s not all about me. We have great coaches here as well. I felt we could penetrate the opposition more and we have players to do that and they’re showing that at the minute. It’s down to the players. We have quality attacking players.”

With over three months left in the season, there are many difficult games for Celtic to traverse if they are to remain at the top come the end of the campaign.

The manager acknowledges the competition will be fierce during the run in, but added his Celtic side had the right mind-set to successfully defend their silverware.

“The squad have a great mentality and are a very highly-motivated bunch,” he said. “They’ve had a few dips and troughs along the way, and you’re going to get that in a season. The winning mentality is still very much alive and kicking.

“That helps when you have a player like Scott Brown who leads from the front. He’s a modern-day great and has been the best player in Scotland for the last 10 or 12 years consistently. When you have a player like that to feed off, it’s a great example for the rest.

“At Celtic you’re always hungry. You’re always tested and challenged. This squad is still young and there’s a vitality about it. Their character, mentality and fitness levels are all good at the minute.

“All teams are hungry, it’s all relative, but our motivation is to defend everything as vigorously as possible. Teams set up to be difficult to break down, but this side find a way and they play some super football as well, I think that gets overlooked. The quality of football has been superb at times. The link-up play and fluency has been excellent.”

Neil Lennon: On form Celtic are showing their champion mentality