Champions League: Celtic's Neil Lennon wary of Shakhter threat
Last updated on .From the section Football
Neil Lennon insists Celtic will not take Champions League progress for granted when they face Shakhter Karagandy.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's play-off first leg in Kazakhstan, Lennon said clinching a place in the group stage would not be easy.
"They have already knocked out BATE Borisov who beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season," he said.
"So this is going to be a difficult tie."
Lennon said his side are more experienced than Shakhter but said there "excellent home record" would make them a difficult proposition in the Astana Arena.
"Our home form in the Champions League is very good over the years but we know we are in for a very difficult game," he added.
"We are very well prepared for this tie and will give this all our concentration. We are not taking this lightly, we are not here for a holiday.
"We are here to play hard football, we have our own incentives to qualify for the Champions League. The tie is over two games and hopefully we will take some sort of result back to Glasgow."

Last season, Celtic booked their place in the group stage of the Champions League with victory over Swedish side Helsingborgs and Lennon hopes to use that experience to their advantage.
"I suppose after last year you are a little more comfortable," he said.
"But it is still quite a nerve-wracking time for all us involved although we try not to let that permeate to the players.
"We are relaxed, we had a great result at the weekend against Aberdeen and the players are in good form and looking forward to the game.
"We haven't had much time to gauge but I am very happy with the way the squad has settled.
"I have liked the camaraderie between the players and the new boys have settled in very well."
Lennon was asked about Celtic's interest in Schalke striker Teemu Pukki whose potential move may be in doubt after an injury to team-mate Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
"I don't think it will have any bearing on him coming here or not," said the Celtic boss.
"We did make the offer before the Huntelaar injury so I imagine that wouldn't have helped things.
"I spoke to John Park (football development manager) late last night and he was working on a few players but no news today.
"I probably won't know until I get back from training."
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hes playing it down to take some of the pressure off the players. all managers do it.
Karagandy 0 Celtic 2
Another welcome boost to Scottish football.
Well said Soapy.
Any chance of you sacrificing yourself on any piece of grass/AstroTurf prior to the game it could bring NL good luck?
Re the comments about scottish players in the team, I didnt think that it was a bad idea years ago to have a minumum amount of 'Nationals' in the teams, other than celtic would do a rangers and buy all the good ones, leaving not much else for the rest.
By all accounts this is a strong, physical team who know how to play to their strengths.
Might be a challenge for Celtic to stay in the tie 1st leg, but if they can do I would expect them to come through at home.
I think a 2-1 defeat would be a good result.
Still think we'll put 5 past them at home though.
Karagandy looked an OK team.
Let's hope the hoops can do it in the second leg.
Now I have to run round town in my lime mankini.
If you see me please do not stare.
Celtic won the SPL by 40 points ! Don't think so.
When was that?
I'll take u serious when you stop following Celtic. Perhaps you don’t see the hypocrisy
Good away side named by NL, Hope Centre of Defence is as solid as it looks, two BIG LADS.
C'mon Hoops, lets get the result.
Bigot is too kind a word for you pal. I saw some of your vile stuff regards children on another Celtic thread, your a filth monger and should be banned entirely from commenting on any BBC thread. You scumbag low life t***er...