Manager Neil Lennon refuses to write off Celtic
Celtic FC manager Neil Lennon has refused to write off his club’s chances of making it to the UEFA Champions League group stages – despite suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of the third qualifying round at the hands of Portuguese league runners-up, Sporting Club de Braga.
At a press conference after the loss, Lennon said: "Some people may think the tie is over - we don't. We've got a good record at home, we've been in this position before and we'll just have to go and be at our very best next week."
Winger woes
Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady – who has been subject to increasing press speculation linking him with a move away from the Scottish Premier League (SPL) runners-up – was left out of the squad for the match, with Lennon claiming the 24 year-old was injured. The player has not featured in any of the Hoops’ pre-season games due to a thigh injury. Lennon said: "He was complaining of a chronic back injury last night. Having spoken to the medical team, with the lack of training and the lack of game time he's had, I thought it best not to risk him. Hopefully, we'll have him for the second leg."
Celtic found themselves a goal behind after 26 minutes, when Brazilian forward Alan Osório da Costa Silva slotted home the penalty, which resulted from Ki Sung-Yeung’s handball. Uwa Echiejile doubled the advantage for Braga after 76 minutes after his side took advantage of some slack defending and the Nigerian international stabbed home from a corner. The victory was wrapped up by Matheus Leite Nascimento, who curled his late free-kick past goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska. Having failed to score an away goal, Celtic will hope they can score at least three times without reply in the return leg at Celtic Park next week.
Lennon was disappointed by the loss, but was critical of some questionable refereeing decisions, particularly the decision to award the penalty at the Estadio AXA. He said: “His arms (Ki) and his hands were down by his side. He (the referee) made some strange decisions. He booked Charlie Mulgrew after less than 10 minutes for time-wasting. That was just incredible.”
Defensive set-up
The manager defended his team selection, as his decision to have Georgios Samaras play as a lone striker resulted in his team having no shots on target in the game. He explained: "Our goalkeeper had one save to make in the 92, 93 minutes. We set up to be defensive and try to not give too much away."
A defiant Lennon has refused to give up on the prospect of his club progressing through to the all-important group stage of Europe’s top club competition. He said: “We lost the game to three set-pieces, which was very disappointing. I thought we were comfortable in the game, but at times we could have passed the ball better. Some of our better ball players didn't take care of the ball as well as they should have done at times. But the tie is not over. We will give it everything we’ve got.”
Of Celtic’s summer signings, four made their competitive debuts in the match: returning Bhoy Mulgrew operated at left-back, with Cha Du-Ri on the opposite side of defence. In midfield, Wales international and former Cardiff City player Joe Ledley played alongside Mexico’s 2010 FIFA World Cup player Efrain Juarez.
Meanwhile, Lennon revealed he is allowing right-back Andreas Hinkel to leave the club. He said: "He's got a year left on his contract and we can't afford to let that run down. We brought in Cha, so he will be predominantly the first choice right-back."
Tags: