SUCH was the dominance that Celtic enjoyed in their UEFA Europa League group-stage match against CFR Cluj that Neil Lennon’s only disappointment was that his team didn’t win the game by more than the 2-0 margin.

The Celtic manager was naturally delighted with the result, and also the performance as his side controlled the game from start to finish against a Cluj side who had won 4-3 on their previous visit to Paradise back in August, knocking the Hoops out of the Champions League.

Tonight (Thursday), the Celtic players exacted a measure of revenge with the victory, which puts the Hoops top of Group E after two games. Goals from Odsonne Edouard and Mohamed Elyounoussi gave the Hoops all three points, and Neil Lennon believes the showing augurs well for the remainder of the Europa League campaign.

Speaking after the game, the Celtic manager said: “There were some outstanding individual performances, but from one to eleven, I thought we were absolutely excellent against a very good side.

“We wanted a strong performance from the team tonight and I got more than that. I thought we were outstanding and my only disappointment is that we didn’t win the game by more. The important thing was to play well and win the game. It’s important to win your home games in these groups and that’s an excellent start for us.

“I’m enjoying working with the team. There are going to be dips here and there, but the start that we’ve made and the way we’ve kicked on since the first Cluj game, has given me a lot of things to think about in a positive way.”

Celtic followed up an impressive 1-1 away draw against Rennes on matchday one with the 2-0 win at home to Cluj, and with a double-header looming against top seeds, Lazio, confidence is high within the Celtic camp.

However, the Hoops boss knows that it’s still early in the campaign and insists he and his team will not be getting carried away despite the strong start.

“The group is open and it’s tight," he said. "Cluj have three points, as have Lazio, and I don’t think you can write Rennes off. So it’s still very open but from the performances we’ve had in the two games, it’s given us a lot to think about, in a positive way.

“I thought we were good in Rennes and Rangers away was a great performance as well, so I’m getting great performances from the team, but I think there’s more to come.

“I said that to the players afterwards that I think we’ve got the makings of a good side. It’s embryonic in the season, we know that and we’re not getting carried away, but I’m absolutely thrilled and I’m delighted for the supporters as well – to see European football here with a great performance from the team, which was exciting, and with a lot of chances created.

“We’re only two games in so, for me, the group still wide open. We still have to go away to play Lazio, which will be very difficult, but we’ve given ourselves a foothold in the game, nothing more. We’re playing well at the minute, so we’ll enjoy tonight and then move on to Sunday.”

Neil Lennon: My team produced an outstanding European display