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Champions League: Celtic's Neil Lennon wary of Shakhter threat

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments49

Interview - Celtic manager Neil Lennon

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."

Schalke striker Teemu Pukki
Lennon has no update on Celtic's pursuit of Schalke striker Teemu Pukki

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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49 comments

  • Comment posted by U15800895, at 10:40 20 Aug 2013

    @24 do you expect him to come out and say "of course well spank this mob 15-0"? that does the oppos managers team talk for him.
    hes playing it down to take some of the pressure off the players. all managers do it.

  • Comment posted by U15800895, at 22:46 19 Aug 2013

    @9 celtic and rangers are the only reason Scotland has any tv money. That's why they get most of it. Perhaps if more so called fans turned up to actually see matches and not just European games or cup finals then their club would have finances to improve things. Aberdeen had a full house and I hope those new fans don't vanish be because they lost. Well fans only turn up for Europe.

  • Comment posted by drawkcab, at 22:44 19 Aug 2013

    Score prediction

    Karagandy 0 Celtic 2

  • Comment posted by U15618605, at 20:16 19 Aug 2013

    Each SFPL club stands to make 130k if Celtic make the group stages again.

    Another welcome boost to Scottish football.

  • Comment posted by U15491997, at 20:04 19 Aug 2013

    The very best of luck for tomorrow. From a full house at Pittodrie, to a Champions League qualifier in a number of days. Scottish football is shining and I wish the team all the best.

  • Comment posted by drawkcab, at 18:49 20 Aug 2013

    Think positive

  • Comment posted by williebraveheart, at 18:16 20 Aug 2013

    The biscuit tin mentality still rules. How many more sasons will we have to suffer no central defence and no playmaker in midfield? Add no strikers and you have mediocrity which is what we had today. When will we learn?

  • Comment posted by Daddy, at 13:04 20 Aug 2013

    I have to agree with Soapy's assertion that Mr Lennon is a genius and a fantastic man-manager.
    Well said Soapy.

  • Comment posted by Socialism is the only answer, at 12:36 20 Aug 2013

    Soapy any comment on what Viktor Kumykov said "We are students and they are teachers," and that they would be happy with a Europa place etc?

    Any chance of you sacrificing yourself on any piece of grass/AstroTurf prior to the game it could bring NL good luck?

  • Comment posted by Dondaz, at 08:44 20 Aug 2013

    I actually just lloke dback and runners up were first invited into the Chapions League Season 1996-1997 - since then in 17 years it has been won by a team that won hteir league the year before 9 times and 8 times by a team that never won their league the year before.

  • Comment posted by ken, at 23:53 19 Aug 2013

    Good luck to Celtic, I hope they manage to get at least a draw, scoring preferably. I do have a bad feeling about this though. artificial surface!
    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.

  • Comment posted by U5331635, at 22:29 19 Aug 2013

    This is going to be a bruising encounter and the loss of Wanyama might be felt.
    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.

  • Comment posted by Clearsighted, at 10:53 21 Aug 2013

    I can see Celtic getting beat 2-0 but winning the return leg 3-0

  • Comment posted by Daddy, at 18:16 20 Aug 2013

    Lennon's Celtic beaten by counter attacking side shocker. He's still not learned a thing from juventus, st Johnstone, kili, st mirren etc
    Still think we'll put 5 past them at home though.

  • Comment posted by Socialism is the only answer, at 18:00 20 Aug 2013

    Fantastic team selection by NL forcing PL to loosen those purse strings. Big Steve looked all over the place and there is a need for a penalty box striker and a creative midfielder. Still I think the Bhoys can take more than 3 of this team as the didn't look to handy.

  • Comment posted by drawkcab, at 17:53 20 Aug 2013

    Well I never seen that coming.

    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.

  • Comment posted by Cmcgugan, at 17:33 20 Aug 2013

    @30 Soapy,

    Celtic won the SPL by 40 points ! Don't think so.

    When was that?

  • Comment posted by U15412086, at 16:34 20 Aug 2013

    @37

    I'll take u serious when you stop following Celtic. Perhaps you don’t see the hypocrisy

  • Comment posted by mactom, at 15:30 20 Aug 2013

    @35, at least you admit it it, sad to say. Now go take it to another site.

    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.

  • Comment posted by speakofthedevil, at 15:29 20 Aug 2013

    @35 csgas85

    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...

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