NEIL Lennon said Celtic must capitalise on the home advantage tomorrow night (Thursday) against Cluj and ensure they start the game more directly than they did in the last meeting with the Romanian champions.

Celtic will face familiar foes, Cluj at Paradise in matchday two of the Europa League group stages.

Neil Lennon’s side secured a 1-1 away draw against Rennes two weeks ago, while Cluj took three-points off Lazio in the opening round of games in Group E.

Tomorrow night’s game comes seven weeks after Cluj ended Celtic’s Champions League campaign with a 4-3 win in Glasgow. Since then Celtic have gone 10 games undefeated in all competitions with eight wins and two draws.

The Irishman expects another difficult 90 minutes against the Romanian side and called on his players to make the most of the atmosphere inside Paradise.

He said: “We know it’s a game that got away from us and there’s always an opportunity in football to right a wrong. We can use it as motivation as long as the players don’t get too over emotional.

“We can play aggressively, but play it controlled. We’re looking forward to the game. It’s the first home game in the group stages and we’re very excited about it.

“We have to try and maximise the home advantage. I’m looking forward to a European night under the lights again. It’ll be a big atmosphere and a big crowd and I hope the players connect with that and respond to it.”

Celtic’s first-half performance in the last game against Cluj was not up to the level Neil Lennon expects, and the Hoops boss has warned his players that they haveto be at their best for the entirety of the game.

“We need to start better than we did in the home game,” said the manager. “We played quite well away from home. Our first-half performance in the home game wasn’t up to our usual standards and we need to address that.

“You have to try and manage the game. Hopefully were ready for a high press or if they sit off us. It’s up to us, we’re at home.

"We’re a front-foot team and we’re going to try and take the game to them. We did that very well in the second half, but we left ourselves a lot to do after conceding the first goal and playing passively. It’s important we learn from that.

“It’s important to start the game well. I want us to get a head of steam and we have to be warry of Cluj negating that. I’m expecting the game to be high-octane, that’s the kind of performance I want from us.

"We want to get the crowd going as quickly as we can because that’s a real added factor for us at home.”

Neil Lennon: Bhoys have to draw on Paradise noise against Cluj