NEIL Lennon reflected on a bittersweet night in France, as his Celtic produced an impressive performance against Lille, establishing a 2-0 first-half lead before the home side hit back with two second-half goals to ensure a share of the spoils on matchday two of the UEFA Europa League group stages.

The Celtic manager was pleased with his side’s attacking intent, and that they got their first point on the board in Group H, but having established the two-goal lead, and continued to create chances on the counter-attack after the break, he was disappointed not to be heading home with all three points.

Speaking after the game, Neil Lennon said: “I thought we were outstanding in the first half, and I thought if we’d taken care in the final third on the counter-attack in the second half, we could have put the game to bed.

“We scored two beautiful goals. We looked a threat all half, and also looked a threat on the counter in the second half. I’m happy but it’s tinged with disappointment as well, but it should give us a lift and a positivity going into the rest of the group, and we’re getting players back. You can see some of them are not fully fit, with the effects of COVID and injuries, but we’re going to get stronger as we go along and we’ll need the bodies as well.”

Moi Elyounoussi was Celtic’s goal hero on the night, scoring two superb goals in the first-half, and he had a couple of opportunities in the second half that could have led to his hat-trick. At the other end of the park, Scott Bain produced a string of excellent saves, including one from a Jonathan David spot-kick.

"We had a horrendous decision given against us for the penalty, which was outside the box,” said Neil Lennon, “For me, you don’t need VAR for that. It was clearly outside the box, and we felt really aggrieved with that decision. But Scott made an excellent save and also had a couple of great saves in the first half, and he can be delighted with his contribution.

“Our first goal was a brilliant goal. Ajeti did well to win the ball high, and then Moi goes on and curls in a beauty. For the second goal, Frimpong’s picked out Moi with a lovely pass. So, two really well-worked goals and it gave us a foothold in the game.

“I just wish Moi had pulled the trigger on a couple of occasions in the second half and he might have got his hat-trick ton. He showed his class tonight and I thought he was sublime at times.

"I thought we were superb in the first half and we should have won the game. Overall, it’s a good result away from home in Europe against a very good side, but it’s tinged with a massive disappointment that we haven’t won the game. It’s a tough group but we’re relishing it and we can take a lot of positives from tonight.”

Neil Lennon: Positive performance but we could have won in France