NEIL LENNON says he has absolutely no intention of quitting as Celtic manager, and insists he has the fire in his belly to come through this period of adversity and reel in Rangers at the top of the Premiership table.

Supporters’ group The Green Brigade held a protest outside Celtic Park yesterday where they unveiled a banner calling for Lennon to leave the club in order to save their bid for a tenth title in a row.

But Lennon, while admitting he was disappointed with the banner, has refused to throw in the towel, and says he is actually enjoying the challenge of steering Celtic through this rocky period.

When asked if he had thought of quitting, Lennon said: “Absolutely not.

“There are times when you have to hold your hands up but at the minute I have no intention of quitting.

“I don’t even need to think about that. All this noise is affecting other people but it’s not affecting me. There’s no evidence to suggest that I can’t lead these players to the title.

“You wouldn’t be human if [the banner] didn’t disappoint you. But I’m strong, I’m so motivated now, and have the fire in the belly.

“I’m actually enjoying going through this adverse period, if you want to call it that. It makes you feel stronger.

“My backroom staff are the same, they’re good and vibrant, and the players are hopefully taking on board what we’re asking of them.

“They know they have a lot more to come.”

Lennon says that there is no evidence to suggest that he has lost the Celtic dressing room, or that any of his players aren’t giving him absolutely everything on the pitch.

“In recent games we were twice behind at Aberdeen and scored three second-half goals at Pittodrie, which we haven’t done for a while,” he said.

“We won 4-1 at Motherwell, we won a Scottish Cup semi-final and we were 2-0 down at the weekend but responded by showing great fortitude and belief to get a point.

“There were no signs there that the players have given up on anything, no sign at all.”