DESPITE his side’s domestic targets this campaign, Neil Lennon said qualifying for Europe is among his top priorities every season at Celtic.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s (Thursday) UEFA Europa League play-off encounter with FK Sarajevo, the manager said he expects a tough game against a physical opponent.

The Hoops triumphed 5-2 over two legs against Sarajevo in the first qualifying round of last season’s Champions League, and while that game may offer some insight ahead of tonight’s game, the Irishman is clear his players must perform regardless of what’s come before.

“You can compare their team and our team and how both have changed over the piece,” said Neil Lennon. “You can take bits and pieces from the last game, but it’s not really going to have any bearing on tonight’s game.

“Sarajevo are a physical and well-organised team, and they’ve got a bit of pace in the wider areas. We know it’s going to be difficult game, as Riga was last week. We have to match that intensity and bring our own intensity to the game as well.”

The manager stressed that one-off away games will never be easy, and while pleased with Celtic’s recent away record in Europe, he said his players will aim to be on the top of their game as they target the Europa League’s group stage.

He added: “To be fair, our away record in Europe is pretty good and we want that to continue. That’s to do with the progression from the experience they’ve gained as a group.

“These games are never easy, but if we get the chances I want us to take them. However, if that doesn’t happen you keep playing. Patience, like it was against Riga last week, might be important, but we’ll have a better sense of that tonight.

“Europe is always important to Celtic no matter what the stakes are domestically. We’ll approach the game to win it and go through. We have to play well, be strong, and be disciplined.”

Neil Lennon: Europe is massive no matter what’s at stake at home