Daily Record

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Stockholm in the Europa play-off round to earn a spot in this Group E campaign.

The Parkhead side then opened the section with a fine showing 14 days ago in Rennes to secure a point.

And the boss said: “Looking back we were capable of winning over the two games against Cluj but there has been a marked improvemen­t in our performanc­es and our cohesion, our shape and fluidity. All those fancy words you like to use.

“We look more assured since then and I’m looking for more of the same. You never can tell initially but there was a smoulderin­g in the players.

“They reacted brilliantl­y in the two AIK games and it was a top performanc­e in Rennes.

“I’m not saying we’re going to put in another great performanc­e but if we can go on the front foot and achieve that we have a great chance of winning.”

Celtic’s attacking players proved Lennon’s point with their showing the last time.

Although the defensive disasters took the focus the second-half offensive swagger of James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie had Cluj in huge trouble at the other end of the pitch.

Forrest and Edouard maintained their fabulous scoring form in the ties against AIK and Christie’s spotkick was enough to earn the point in Brittany. Lennon reckons his three gunslinger­s can be key again but only if they are provided with proper ammo. He said: “They’re a really good trio and Odsonne and Ryan are still quite young and playing with a decent level of confidence. “When they’re in full flow they’re really difficult to stop. They were dynamite in the second half against Cluj. We scored three goals and I don’t see many clubs getting three against Cluj in 45 minutes.

“It showed me what we were capable of but we missed a trick in the first half because we didn’t get the ball forward quickly enough and we didn’t get it into the right areas.

“Maybe Cluj will expect us to come at them and we have to make them defend.

“Allied to those three, there’s the likes of (Christophe­r) Jullien, (Boli) Bolingoli, (Kris) Ajer, (Scott) Brown and (Callum)McGregor giving us a great platform.

“They’re a tough nut to crack, so I want us to play like we can. “Get that high tempo and attacking options coming from different angles and I think we’ll feed off the atmosphere as well. “If we can’t get the performanc­e get the win as that would put us in a healthy position.”

 ??  ?? BHOY MEETS WORLD Lennon arrives for Celts’ conference ahead of their Cluj clash tonight
BHOY MEETS WORLD Lennon arrives for Celts’ conference ahead of their Cluj clash tonight
 ??  ?? TOUGH TO TAKE Lenny after Cluj loss
TOUGH TO TAKE Lenny after Cluj loss

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