NO matter how many fans or pundits from the outside may be convinced that the Premiership title race has already been run, with Celtic the victors all bar the shouting, you will have a hard time getting anyone from inside the club to admit it.

So, the concession in the aftermath of his side’s gritty win over Aberdeen on Sunday that the three points were a huge mental boost for his team as they hunt a ninth title in a row, was as good as you are probably going to get from Neil Lennon. At least for now.

The victory, and the maintenance of the 10-point gap to closest challengers Rangers, perhaps makes it easier for Celtic and Lennon to turn their attention to matters on the European front this week, but even as he plots a course through to the last 16 in Copenhagen, Lennon's mind is never far from home.

“Psychologically, Aberdeen was a big win for us in terms of the title,” Lennon said.

“That’s what our focus has been on, but now obviously we can turn our focus to Copenhagen. And we want to see if we can make any inroads in the Europa League now as well. We are playing well enough to do that.

“You never park the league when you are in a title race. It’s always at the back of your mind.

“We have a big game Sunday against Kilmarnock, who seem to have found their mojo again. So, we are not taking anything for granted on that.

“But we have had a think about Copenhagen now – I’ve been able to think about it Monday and Tuesday and we’ll take it from there.

“That was a hard game on Sunday, so we are assessing who is fit and available for Thursday.”

The return from injury of players like Ryan Christie, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Tom Rogic could scarcely have been better timed then, with Lennon confident that even if he does decide to mix things up for the game at the Telia Parken, he won’t be doing so to the detriment of the quality of his line-up.

“I’m pleased with what I have seen with the players,” he said. “I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen of the fitness levels as well.

“It’s a big ask with the amount of games we are playing as well, but Jozo (Simunovic) will be available for the Parken and that’s a bonus.

“We had Nir Bitton back at Pittodrie and (Jeremie) Frimpong will be available for the first time in the competition as well.

“We are just worried about Greg Taylor after he came off in Aberdeen at the minute. We want to see how he is.

“We might mix it up a bit, we’ll see.”

The depth of squad that Lennon enjoys also lends itself to a certain amount of tactical flexibility, with the recently favoured 3-5-2 switching to a 4-3-3 at a crucial stage of the game at Pittodrie to allow Celtic to regain control of a game that was threatening to get away from them.

Lennon feels that could also be a key factor as they enter the latter stages of the Europa League.

“It’s the way I have always wanted to manage,” he said.

“There were times in my first spell in charge at Celtic when we go 4-2-3-1 or with a diamond or with the three. I like the players to be adaptable and I think we’re better for it.

“I have great coaching staff here in John Kennedy and Damien Duff.

“John has worked the whole way through with Ronny (Deila) and Brendan (Rodgers), so he has learned a lot coaching wise and brings a lot of knowledge to the systems as well.”

The air of confidence that Lennon exudes ahead of the trip to Denmark this week is well-founded, and comes from two outstanding performances away from home during the group stage of this tournament.

Celtic should have won the opening game in Rennes, where they had to settle for a 1-1 draw, while the victory over Lazio in the Stadio Olimpico speaks for itself. The dead rubber in Cluj to round off the section, where a shadow side went down to defeat, can be discounted.

“I think we have been excellent,” Lennon said.

“They have been brave and have shown, again, an abundance of quiet confidence and character.

“They’ve played very well away from home in Europe and I’m really hoping for more of the same on Thursday.”