The Scotsman

Lennon just happy with goals and no injuries

● Celtic boss satisfied with night’s work ● Romanians Cluj await in next qualifier

- By ANDY SIMS In Tallinn

Neil Lennon saluted another profession­al performanc­e after Celtic completed their Tallinn job and moved a step closer to the group stage of the Champions League.

A first-half own goal and a stunning debut strike by Marian Shved ensured that Celtic avoided any bother in the Baltics, running out 2-0 second-leg winners over Estonianch­ampions no mmek al ju and completing a thumping 7-0 aggregate victory.

It was a solid display, albeit one understand­ably lacking in intensity, which set up a meeting with Romanian side Cluj in the third round of qualifying.

Celtic boss Lennon, pictured, said: “I’m very happy with the scoreline, with the performanc­e, and very happy with the scoreline over the two legs.

“I’m happy to get important minutes into some of the players who haven’t had that luxury, and to come through injury free.

“This tie was always going to be different because of the lead we had, and scoring the early goal was important.

“I’m very pleased with the attitude and the complete performanc­es we have showed so far,” added the Northern Irishman

Lennon was able to rest six of his players following last week’s 5-0 first-leg win, with Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiershi­p opener against St Johnstone in mind.

Christophe­r Jullien – the £7million signing from Toulouse – enjoyed a comfortabl­e debut at the back, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon kept a clean sheet on his first appearance since December.

Olivier Ntcham was also back in the starting line-up for the first time since intimating that he wanted to leave the club.

Lennon was far from happy with the French midfielder but gave him a shot at redemption. Ntcham went some way to making amends by linking up with Mikey Johnston as Celtic took the lead, and stretched their advantage to six, after only ten minutes.

Johnston drilled the ball across goal and Kalju defender Aleksandr Kulinits, with Leigh Griffiths breathing down his neck, sliced the ball into his own net.

Jullien missed out on a first Celtic goal when he headed a free-kick over, before another debutant took to the field in the shape of Shved.

The Ukrainian winger almost made an instant impact

but his effort was bravely blocked by home goalkeeper Pavel Londak. But as the game moved into stoppage time, Shved took aim from 20 yards out and pinged a superb shot into the top corner.

“I was very pleased with Christophe­r, it was important he got 90 minutes,” added Lennon. “And then Marian comes on – he’s had a frustratin­g time with a groin injury – he got a good 25 minutes and scored a great goal to wrap up the tie. You could see what the goal meant to him and it will give him a huge shot in the arm.”

Celtic now have two more rounds to negotiate, starting with another step up in class against Cluj next week, if they are to reach the group stage.

“I thought we had a tough first-round tie against Sarajevo, we negotiated that well and negotiated this one brilliantl­y, so we are in a good place,” said Lennon.

“The quality does get stronger as you go along, but we’ll cross that bridge and be well prepared.

“Winning tonight keeps the momentum going into Saturday and, judging by the dressing room, we’ve come through unscathed.”

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