Lennon insists Celtic still alive

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon believes his side have enough quality to upset the odds and qualify for the Europa League despite their 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid — a result which leaves them needing to win in Italy in their final group game.

Udinese drew 0-0 at Rennes last night and the Hoops have to beat the Italians in their last group fixture on December 15 to leapfrog them into second place and join Atletico in the next round. With a poor away record in Europe, their task is an uphill one to say the least.

But a defiant Lennon said: “We’re still in there with a fighting chance. It just means we have to go and win, which is a tall order obviously, but we are improving all the time and I can’t ask for any more of the players than that performance.”