Neil Lennon expects to be afforded a ‘warm welcome’ when he returns to Celtic as manager of Hibernian on Saturday, but he says that will mean little if his team are beaten.

Lennon enjoyed trophy-laden spells in Glasgow as both a player and manager with Celtic.

He lifted 11 major honours during his time on the field and added five more as boss.

Saturday will be the first time he has gone to Celtic Park as an opponent of the Hoops and he admits it will be nice to return, although somewhat strange to be in unfamiliar surroundings.

Celtic have not tasted a domestic defeat since Brendan Rodgers arrived last summer and Lennon says any special welcome will soon wear off should Hibs become their latest victims.

“It will be good to see a lot of people I haven’t seen old friends, but, as for the game, it’s going to be a very difficult afternoon,” he told reporters.

“I’m expecting the reception I’ll get will be warm – well I hope will be anyway. You all know it’s a club that has been very close to my heart for a significant period of my life.

“But I’m going there to do my job as best I can and to do what’s best for Hibs. It’s not about me. “If we get beat, the [reception I’ll get] will mean nothing.

I still have to go home and kick the cat and analyse what went wrong.” Hibs are 9.50 to defat Celtic, with the Hoops 7.50 to win the game 3-0.