NEIL Lennon wanted a positive performance from his side and that’s what he got in what was a tough game against AC Milan in the San Siro.

The Hoops took an early two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Tom Rogic and Odsonne Edouard, but the home side scored two goals in either half to run out 4-2 winners.

While the result wasn’t what he wanted, the Celtic manager was pleased with his side’s display against a side currently top of Serie A. Speaking after the game, he said:

'We got off to a great start and we looked really positive. We had good fluency about us as well, and I thought we were excellent at times.'

“And it’s just a bit of game-management at times. We were 2-1 up and we won a free-kick but took it quickly instead of maybe have taking a little bit more time and patience to get set.

“ I was disappointed with the third and fourth goals because we had plenty of numbers back to deal with it, and we had plenty of good play going forward, and good midfield control at times. And their goalkeeper made a couple of outstanding saves at important moments in the game.”

Tom Rogic’s seventh-minute strike was the perfect start for the Hoops, and Edouard’s goal six minutes later – a cool chip over Donnarumma in the Milan goal from a superb through ball from Ryan Christie – put the Hoops in a strong position.

But a quickfire double from Milan cancelled those early goals out, while two more goals in the second half, gave the Italians all three points.

“I thought for large parts of the game, we matched them and were better than them, and Cal’s had a great chance to make it three,” Neil Lennon said. “Jerry’s had a chance as well on his left side, so I thought at times we were breathtaking going forward.

'We’ve got to take something out of tonight. We played against a quality side and we gave them plenty of problems.'

"It’s not often you get two goals at the San Siro, and a two-goal lead, but against a quality side like Milan, you need a third and we never stopped looking for the third.

“Even at 3-2, we were still in the game, so the fourth goal put the tie to bed. But I’m proud of the players and I’m proud of the character they showed after Sunday.”

Neil Lennon: There was a lot to be pleased about in San Siro display