FOLLOWING last week’s well -contested 1-1 draw with CFR Cluj, Celtic welcome the Romanian champions to Paradise this evening (Tuesday) for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League third round qualifier. Manager Neil Lennon expects a tough encounter, but said his side go into the match hungry for success.

“We’ve been very productive in Europe so far,” the manager told the official Celtic website. “We’ve had two wins against two good sides, we got a good away result last week and we’re hoping that we can progress this evening (Tuesday) at home.

“We’ve been pretty strong at home so far, but Cluj are an experienced team. They won’t give it up lightly, but neither will we. There’s a hunger there with us just now and we all know how important getting into the Champions League is. To have that gravitas associated with the club again would be fantastic, but we know how difficult it can be getting there.”

In comparing his experience in Europe so far this season with the last time he led from the Celtic dugout, Neil Lennon said the quality of the opposition, even in these early stages, have impressed.

He added: “European football is still very competitive, but it’s also tougher because we, of course, have an extra round to play. The quality of teams, even in the qualifying rounds, are very high. If we get through tonight’s game, we face another top-class outfit in Slavia Prague.

"While we want to get there, we know we need to do the hard yards and we know how important these games are so early in the season.”

Manager: We won’t take Cluj return leg lightly