AFTER conceding the opening goal against CFR Cluj in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie, James Forrest replied with a wonderful left-foot equaliser. Neil Lennon was delighted to bring an away goal back to Glasgow for the return leg next week, after what he described as a well-contested draw away from home.

“We’ve got to be delighted with the away goal,” said the manager after the match. “I thought we looked good moving forward throughout the game. I was delighted with our attacking intent, and I thought we defended resolutely throughout the game as well. You have to give Cluj credit, they scored a fine goal on the counter-attack.

“But our reaction was superb, with Christie and Edouard playing brilliantly throughout the game. They always looked like they could score. And, of course, James Forrest is a big-game player and he’s popped up with another crucial goal for us this evening.”

He added: “We’ve got a number of new players coming in, defensively, two new full-backs, and Christopher coming in too, so it’s a work-in-progress. But they’ve also got a great goalkeeper behind them, who made a terrific save at an important time in the game.

“That’s a great result. It’s not easy coming away from home and we got the away goal. We’ve got a big game to negotiate on Saturday. It’s a quick turnaround, we hope to get a good result there and we can then look forward to the second leg next week.

“We want to win the game. Over the last couple of games at Celtic Park, we’ve been on incredible form. Next week, we’ll need the crowd, we’ll want to make it hostile and make it warm for them, and then the players need to go out and perform.”

Manager: We take great result home after fantastic Euro comeback