Jonny Hayes has described Neil Lennon as one of the game’s greatest motivators.
The winger netted the second goal in Celtic ’s emphatic win over Rangers that silenced Ibrox.
Odsonne Edouard beat the offside just after the half-hour mark to set the champions on their way to victory.
Then Hayes hit the second to ensure Celtic go three points in front of their bitter rivals in the Premiership title race.
The Irishman paid a special tribute to his countryman and manager who has been questioned ever since he was confirmed as Brendan Rodgers’ successor.
And he revealed the hurt suffered by his gaffer since Celtic lost 2-0 at Ibrox in May.
Hayes said: "Winning the game is vital and we have managed to keep our 100 per cent domestic record as well.
"Last couple of times we turned up here we didn’t perform.
"We owed this to ourselves. The manager is one of the best motivators in the game and he’s been hurting since that fixture.
"He drilled it into us that we need to start better in this fixture. We have worked hard on the training field this week and we’ve reaped the rewards of that."
Man of the match Christopher Jullien added on Sky Sports News: "When you are a family on the field everything is much easier.
"I’m really very sorry about what happened to Nir Bitton but Hatem came inside and we finished the job.
"Everything is so good for us."
