Celtic must focus from start, warns Lennon

NEIL LENNON has warned his Celtic defence against conceding yet another early goal in Europe when they take on Italian side Udinese in their Europa League clash at Parkhead tonight (6pm).

The Hoops found themselves behind in the opening minutes in both the away qualifier to Sion in Switzerland and their Group I opener against Atletico Madrid in Spain and were unable to recover, losing on both occasions. Lennon is also aware of the dangers of going behind early to a side who are joint top of Serie A.

“It seems to be a running theme in the last few European games [losing an early goal],” he said.

“We conceded early in Sion and in Madrid and you need maximum concentration in these games.

“It is always a concern when you are playing against a team of this quality.

“Udinese are an excellent team, very well-drilled defensively and they have excellent pace on the break.

“So we have worked on a few things today and hopefully we can keep the door shut.

“But it is important that we get plenty of the ball as well and work Udinese the best we can.”

Tony Pulis wants Stoke to build on what he saw as one of the club’s “great games” on Saturday when they held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters entertain Besiktas in Group E tonight (8.05pm), before visiting Swansea in the Premier League on Sunday, and the Stoke boss is keen to extend a sequence that has seen his side lose just once this season.

Pulis, whose side opened their group campaign with a 1-1 draw against Dynamo Kiev, said: “It was a great performance [against United].

“The crowd were amazing — it was one of the great games of the football club, in respect of the atmosphere and the commitment of the players.

“But that is gone now and we have two massive games coming up. I think the biggest risk to us is complacency.”

Fulham manager Martin Jol admits the Cottagers must begin turning draws into wins, starting with tonight’s Group K tie with Odense BK.

The west Londoners are the only Premier League side without a win this season and Jol feels their fortunes will change soon. “I think we will turn a corner somewhere,” he said. Fulham travelled to Denmark without Mousa Dembele and Bobby Zamora, both ill.

Birmingham, who lost their opening Group H match 3-1 at home to Braga, will be without Stephen Carr and Curtis Davies for their trip to face Slovenian side Maribor (6pm).