QUALITY goals from Mikey Johnston, Odsonne Edouard and Scott Sinclair secured three vital away goals for Celtic in the first leg of their first round UEFA Champions League qualifier against FK Sarajevo.

After going down against the run of play, a superb strike from Johnston pulled the Hoops level on 35 minutes, before brilliantly taken goals from Edouard and Sinclair put the Scottish champions out of sight. Celtic will now welcome their Bosnia and Herzegovinian opponents to Paradise next week for the second leg on Wednesday, July 17.

“Mikey’s goal was just wonderful,” said Neil Lennon. “Odsonne’s goal was a great goal too, it was great finishing, and he’s a big game player. The third goal was a great one as well, I thought Ryan might have scored, but Scott’s improvisation was fantastic.

“I’m obviously delighted with him as well, he’s in great condition and he comes out and makes such a big contribution. As a squad, I’m delighted. There were a number of big performances out there, so early in the season, and it was a great team performance.”

The manager explained that debut Bhoy Boli Bolingoli rolled his ankle during the first half at the Olympic Stadium, but said the decision to bring him off was precautionary. Between now and next week’s return leg, the Hoops play host to Stade Rennais in a friendly this Saturday (July 13).

Neil Lennon added: “The friendly on Saturday is important, to get the likes of Leigh Griffiths and the boys who didn’t play, and Christopher Jullien will hopefully get some game-time too. It’s just a question of slowly but surely getting them all up to match fitness so that, hopefully, we can continue to progress.

“Kris Ajer was also outstanding at right-back against Sarajevo. Since I’ve came in, he hasn’t missed a minute of football. He’s been absolutely brilliant for me, and he was absolutely brilliant again on Tuesday. Whatever you ask him to do, he never complains. His attitude, his quality of play, he’s an outstanding player.”

Neil Lennon delighted with big performances in Sarajevo