Lennon does not want to talk about third place

NEIL LENNON spoke about qualifying out of the Champions League group stages after Celtic were drawn along with Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow in Group G in Monaco yesterday.

The Parkhead men are involved with Europe’s elite for the first time since season 2008-09 afer beating Swedish champions Helsingborg 4-0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.

Asked if his main aim was to finish third in the group and at least ensure Europa League football after Christmas, the former Celtic skipper, who admitted that interest in 37-year-old Italian superstarAlessandro del Piero would likely come to nothing, replied: “No. Win it. It is maybe unrealistic but why do you want to finish third?

“I think Barcelona are favourites or joint favourites (to win the tournament). How do you play against them? Well you can watch them as much as you like but they currently have some of the best individuals of all time.

“I think Benfica will be strong, I think Moscow will be strong, they have got financial clout behind them but anything can happen in the group stages, particularly if we can start the group well and maximise the home advantage.

“It (Europa League) would be worst-case scenario, but if you finish first or second you get into the last 16.

“Let’s not get carried away — let’s see what fixtures are coming up.

“All the pressure was on the previous two rounds, now our supporters will take the view that it is great to be back and go and enjoy it and see where it takes us.

“We have to improve our away record in the Champions League if we can to give ourselves any chance of getting through the group, maximise the home games, but looking at the three teams it is going to be a difficult thing to do.

“It is where we want to be. It is what we worked so hard for. We are in it, it is fantastic to be here and we are going to make the most of it and enjoy it.”

Manchester City face the mother of all battles to reach the knockout phase of the Champions League after being drawn against Real Madrid, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund.

The group will see Mancini having to pit his wits against Jose Mourinho, who succeeded him at Inter Milan and went on to land the biggest prize in club football. The first meeting will be on the first day of the tournament, at the Bernabeu on September 18.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Real Madrid midfielder, said: “It is the most difficult group, the most competitive, in my opinion and I think that’s the same for most people.

“But we are champions of Spain and we are ready to compete with everybody.”

Manchester United and Arsenal have more straightforward-looking groups.

The Gunners are in Group B with Schalke, Olympiakos and Montpellier, while Sir Alex Ferguson’s United will take on Braga, Galatasaray and CFR Cluj in Group H.

For Ferguson, the group will be a chance for his side to make amends for the “stupid errors” they committed in Europe last season.

Arsenal’s draw will see striker Olivier Giroud returning to Montpellier. Chelsea have been drawn to face Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and FC Nordsjaellandin.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon joins his squad to watch the draw for the Champions League group stages.