NEIL Lennon is expecting a difficult game against an on-form Aberdeen side this weekend, but the Celtic manager said the desire shown by his players against AC Milan highlights how determined his Celtic side are to return to winning ways.

Celtic travel to Pittodrie this Sunday (October 25) to Aberdeen for the first of their two meetings in seven days. This weekend’s Premiership game against Derek McInnes’ side will be closely followed by the Scottish Cup semi-final against the Dons at Hampden the following week.

The domestic double-header comes amidst a packed schedule for the Hoops, who lost out 3-1 to Serie A leaders AC Milan on Thursday night (October 22) in the Europa League group-stage opener at Paradise.

Celtic will be determined to take all three points this Sunday after suffering their first domestic defeat of the season last weekend and Neil Lennon is confident his players will show their potential after an improved performance against Milan.

“I think they’ll come again stronger than ever and, looking at them, they’ve got the bit between their teeth again,” said Neil Lennon. “Aberdeen are on good form. They’ve won a lot of games already this season and have had a great result early on in the week so I’m expecting a really tough game.

“We don’t want to drop any more points or lose any more momentum, so we’re looking for a positive result and a positive performance.”

The Celtic manager said he had complete confidence in his players and pointed to the success the team has achieved as a reminder of what they are capable of going forward this season.

“There’s too much being made of one result and one performance," he said. "We will come back stronger than ever. We’re looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. We’re not panicking, we’re staying came and I believe in the players.

"I have every right to believe in them because of what they’ve done and what they can do. It’s my job to protect the players. They’ve won 11 trophies in a row and I think some of the criticism is overbalanced against them.

“It’s no different from last season. We lost a game at Livingston last year and out response was great, so we’re looking to get on a good winning run again and there’s no reason why we can’t.”

Neil Lennon: Bhoys have that bit between their teeth again