Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, will not voluntarily leave his managerial post despite coming under increasing pressure from the club support.

And it is also understood that the Parkhead manager retains the support of the Celtic hierarchy as they push for an historic tenth successive title.

Rangers stretched their lead at the top of the table to 11 points this weekend as they capitalised on Celtic’s draw at Easter Road against Hibs. Lennon’s side trailed 2-0 before a late Diego Laxalt equaliser levelled the game in the final minute.

The Parkhead side have played two games fewer than the Ibrox side.

Lennon has lost just one domestic game in 2020 but has come in for ferocious criticism from his own support following the Champions League exit to Ferencvaros and an insipid start to the league campaign. The club are currently bottom of their Europa League group after taking just one point so far from their opening three games.

Midfielder Callum McGregor spoke of a “disjointed” team in the aftermath of the sobering 4-1 defeat to a Sparta Prague team that were ravaged by Covid issues earlier this month and domestically performances have lacked conviction. 

Rangers claimed the opening derby win of the season and the three league draws recorded against Hibs, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock have left Celtic trailing a Rangers side who are currently enjoying their best start to a season for 53 years.

The next chapter of games will be key to Lennon and his future at the club.

Celtic play Sparta Prague on Thursday night in the Europa League and Ross County this weekend in the League Cup. Celtic then have four home league games against St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Dundee United in December with just one away game to bottom of the table Hamilton before they go to Ibrox on January 2nd.