Celtic in the box seat but Neil Lennon says Helsingborgs tie not over

NEIL Lennon last night tried to dampen the perception that his Celtic side have already effectively secured a place in the group stage of the Champions League, insisting their play-off round tie against Helsingborgs remains in the balance despite a fine 2-0 first-leg win in Sweden.

Goals from Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras put the Scottish champions in a dominant position which few will conceive could be overturned by Helsingborgs at Celtic Park next Wednesday night.

But Lennon will not consider the prospects of his club tasting Champions League group stage football for the first time in four years until his players are able to complete the task in hand.

“You can ask me that question if we get through next week,” said Lennon. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We are not there yet but we have given ourselves a real chance.

“There is still a lot to play for in the tie as far as I’m concerned. There is enough there to worry me. Helsingborgs were very impressive. But in the end we hit the bar twice and could have put the tie out of reach on the counter-attack near the end. We could have had three or four, but that might have put a flattering scoreline on it.

“Our home record is very, very good. We will set the team up a little bit differently next week and I’d like to think we will be in the ascendancy in the home game. It’s a great result for us 
to take into the second game. Two goals and a clean sheet is more than I could have asked for, really.

“It’s up there as one of my best results as a manager but there is still a lot of work to do. We’ve still got 90 minutes to play. But we will be a week fitter. There are a few bumps and bruises tonight and there might be a casualty count in the morning.

“It’s been a hectic schedule for the players, which makes their performance all the more remarkable. They are pretty grounded boys and they know they have a big night ahead of them next week. There is a great prize at the end of it for them. You could see what it means to them. They might have to weather a bit of a storm again next week but I’m certain we will have more possession in the home leg.

“I’m really proud of them tonight and delighted for them. I’ve had my time in the Champions League as a player. Now I want them to feel it and experience it. It will enhance them as players. But they know they still have one more game to go to make it happen.”

Celtic had to spend lengthy spells on the back foot after Commons’ second-minute opener, goalkeeper Fraser Forster making several fine saves before Samaras put them firmly in control of the tie with his 75th minute strike. “It was a hell of a game,” added Lennon. “It was played at a frenetic pace. We got off to a dream start, which isn’t like us. Normally we are a goal down after two or three minutes away from home in Europe!

“We took our foot off the pedal a little bit after the good start. We had to rely on Fraser making a couple of great saves. You can see why we pursued him so vigorously during the summer. He’s capable of doing that.

“We gathered ourselves at half-time and were a lot better in the second half, with James Forrest coming on and giving us a good out ball on the right. We restricted Helsingborgs to shots from outside the box.

“We got too deep for the last 20 minutes of the first half. Beram Kayal was struggling with an ankle injury but we always had James up our cuff. Even before the game, we were thinking we’d have to use him at some stage. He hadn’t played for three weeks and only had one training session, but he gave us such a shot in the arm when he came on.

“It’s great having him back and we’ll have Victor Wanyama back for the second leg as well after suspension. That will bolster the midfield.”

Lennon, who will today assess injuries sustained by Kayal, Joe Ledley and Thomas Rogne, was gratified to see his team notch up a fourth successive away game without defeat in Europe.

“They are not afraid of playing away from home,” he said. “They certainly know how to do it. It’s pleasing to go four games undefeated away in Europe.

“I’m more concerned about the home record now. It’s the big one for us next week. We will have to play possibly even better next week because I’m sure Helsingborgs will have some say in the tie.”

That is certainly the belief of Helsinborgs coach Age Hareide who is convinced the Swedish champions can pull off what would be one of the most eye-catching second leg comebacks in recent Champions League history.

“It’s definitely not over,” said Hareide. “If we get the first goal at Celtic Park, and take our chances better than we did tonight, then we can still go through. Celtic’s centre-halves made some mistakes tonight and gave us chances. They will probably play again next week, so we will get chances in Glasgow as well.

“Celtic will think it is over and that they are ready for the group stage. Even if they say they don’t, in their minds they will feel that way. That’s good for us. The pressure is still on Celtic.”