Neil Lennon extends generosity to Aberdeen as Celtic legend rates chances of title shock

Neil Lennon admits he's been blown away by Aberdeen's sensational form under Jimmy Thelin.

But the Celtic legend insists the Dons require a MIRACLE to dethrone the Hoops and end their 40-year wait to become champions. Both clubs are locked on 31 points after stellar starts to the campaign, with Celts leading the way on goal difference. Brendan Rodgers' men remain heavy favourites to make it four-in-a-row, with crisis club Rangers nine points adrift in third spot.

And while Aberdeen fans are dreaming of ending the Old Firm monopoly, Lennon claims Thelin's men stand virtually no chance of ending the season as Premiership winners.

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He told OLbG: "Aberdeen have been brilliant and all credit has to go to the new coach in Jimmy Thelin. Their consistency in the league has been remarkable and even after the setback in the cup they bounced back to win in the league against Dundee.

"Their consistency in the league has been really strong and it'll be interesting for the neutrals to follow how long they can keep it up for. I just make Celtic so strong. They’re playing brilliantly at the minute and they have a real strength in depth which they haven’t had for a long time.

"Brendan Rodgers can rotate the team and keep his players fresh for all the tournaments they’re competing in including the League Cup and Champions League. I think it would be a miracle if Aberdeen were to overcome Celtic to win the title. I would give Aberdeen a five per cent chance of winning it and that’s being generous."

While Lennon has ruled out a historic title win, the Northern Irishman heaped further praise on Swedish boss Thelin for getting the best out of a squad that has criminally underperformed in recent years. He said: "Jamie McGrath is a player I’ve always admired, he’s had a good career in Scotland. Jimmy Thelin is getting the best of him as well as Graeme Shinnie who has been a long-standing consistent performer and a really good captain there.

"The goalkeeper who they brought in from St. Johnstone, Dimitar Mitov, has given them that bit of stability. Topi Keskinen has done excellently on the wing and let’s not forget that they lost their talisman in Bojan Miovski who went to Girona for a lot of money. That was a big loss of a big game player. But they have kicked on and it’s a fantastic story. But being a realist, Celtic will be too strong over the course of the season."