CELTIC manager Neil Lennon described Wednesday’s Champions League exit as a blow, but stressed the importance of bouncing back with a good result against Motherwell this weekend.

The nine-in-a-row champions host the Steelmen in Premiership action this Sunday, and the Irishman expects a tough game against a side buoyed by their own European exploits in midweek.

“We’ve had a blow and that’s what it is,” said the manager. “One of our priorities was making in-roads in the Champions League, but it wasn’t by any means down to a bad performance. Let’s get that clear. When you look at it in the cold light of day, if you look at the stats and the performance, we dominated.

“We got caught cold from a bad goal from our point of view, but for the majority of the game, I thought the attitude, the intensity, the tempo of the game was good. It got away from us and it’s a sore one.

“Now we need to move forward. We’ve got a big league campaign ahead of us, we’ve got trophies to defend domestically, and we still have European football which we need to maximise.”

Stephen Robinson’s men travel to Glasgow following an emphatic 5-1 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round win over Glentoran, but will make the journey minus star man, David Turnbull who signed at Paradise this week.

Speaking of his new signing, Neil Lennon said he’s ready to hit the ground running and will feature in his matchday squad against his former employer.

He added: “I’m delighted with bringing in David Turnbull. He’s a brilliant, young Scottish talent. We wanted him this time last year, he’s overcome a number of obstacles and that speaks a lot for his character. I hope he flourishes here.

“I think he’s done brilliantly. We’ve had a look at him over the last few games and he’s got a real touch of class about him, which is a rarity in the modern game. David comes in knowing the values of the club, what it means to the supporters and what it means to the Scottish game. Coming here is exciting for him, it’s a challenge, and I think it’s one that he’s really looking forward to.

“It’s been a bit stop-start for Motherwell this season so far, but Stephen has to keep evolving his team. He loses players every year, he’s lost another one now to us, but he always seems to find a way. They had a brilliant season last year until the pandemic stopped it.

"I think Sunday will be a tough game. Stephen has got some exuberance and some energy in the team, but it’s a game that we want to use to get back on track after the last defeat and get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.”

Manager: New signing David Turnbull will feature in Sunday's squad