Lennon glad to ease past first qualifier

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon last night expressed his satisfaction at his side safely negotiating their Champions League first qualifying round tie against KR Reykjavik after not playing a competitive fixture in over a week.

A Mohammed Elyounoussi double, an Arnor Aoalsteinsson own goal and strikes from Christopher Jullien, Odsonne Edouard and Greg Taylor sent the Scottish champions through.

The Parkhead club hadn’t played in nine days due to their Premiership games being postponed after defender Boli Bolingoli breached coronavirus safety protocols.

But Lennon, whose side will now take on Ferencvaros of Hungary or Djurgardens of Sweden at home next week, was pleased with how they performed in their 6-0 win over their Icelandic rivals.

“The time off didn’t help,” said Lennon. “We’ve only had two competitive games up until now when a lot of teams have had four or five, so we’re playing a little bit of catch-up. Hopefully, we are over that hump now and we go on.

“It was a good performance and I’m delighted with the result and the number of goals we scored. Just to get us up and going again and get that match rhythm will get them up and running again.

“All round it was a really good team performance. The players will definitely benefit from it. We needed that after the break and the stop-start beginning to the season. Hopefully this will do them the world of good.”

Albian Ajeti, the Swiss striker who was signed from West Ham for £5m last week, made his debut when he replaced Ryan Christie in the second-half.

“It looks like he needed it,” said Lennon. “He’s a little bit down on match fitness and general conditioning as well, but that will come as we go along.”

Mohamed Elyounoussi 9