LENNON INSISTS HIS BHOYS BECAME MEN
NEIL LENNON last night praised his young players for standing up to be counted against a full-strength Lyon and insists they will learn from the exacting experience.
The Parkhead boss fielded a youthful side for the opening hour of last night’s 2-1 loss at the Groupama Stadium.
His team were 2-0 down to goals from former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele and Memphis Depay when he brought on his first team for the final 30 minutes, with Mohamed Elyounoussi notching a consolation.
But he believes up-and-coming players like Stephen Welsh, Scott Robertson, Ewan Henderson and Karamoko Dembele will benefit from rubbing shoulders with a Champions League last-16 side.
Lennon (right) said: ‘I don’t think the younger players will have
come up against opposition as good as that before. But I think it’s great. I’m pretty pleased with how they did against players of that level. I was pleased with their contributions.
‘It was a mixture of two teams and physically it was an examination as well because these guys have not played a lot of football for five months.
‘Then the boys who came on for the last half hour played very well and we scored a very good goal.
‘We knew it would be a bit of a hotch-potch when we were playing two different teams. I didn’t expect Lyon to play their strongest first XI but that didn’t matter.
‘It was great test for us all and hopefully it will help us going forward.’
Lennon was also delighted by his side’s fitness in their second match since a four-month lockdown due to Covid-19.
‘Against Nice, I was really impressed and against Lyon, when the senior boys came on, it was very good again,’ he said.
‘There was a real zest about the boys, which you would expect. But I was really pleased with a lot of aspects of our game. Young Dembele showed flashes, which was great. Boli Bolingoli had another decent performance and Patryk Klimala was a handful at times as well.’
Right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed sustained an ankle knock after a challenge from
Lyon’s Dembele but should be fine for Tuesday’s glamour friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
Lennon confirmed that Tom Rogic had picked up an ankle injury while training at Loughborough before jetting out to France, but should also be ready for the visit to the Parc des Princes.
But there has been another injury blow for young attacker Mikey Johnston.
The Celtic boss added: ‘Mikey Johnston has got an injury and he is now back home.
‘He has been having problems with his calves and he needs to see a specialist. He’s not had much luck. It’s been a bit stop-start but with his age and going through the maturation process he’s picking up injuries.’