Lennon focuses on pitch battle

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon has insisted he will put off-field worries to one side to concentrate on the Champions League game against Bayern Munich.

The former Northern Ireland international was set to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday to give evidence against two men accused of attacking him in the city’s West End in May.

However, both men have pleaded guilty, meaning Lennon no longer has to make the court appearance just hours after returning from Germany.

Despite his relief at being able to put that case behind him, the Hoops star now faces more off-field worries following his alleged hand gesture during Saturday’s win over Dundee.

He has been called to explain his actions before the Scottish Football Association and could face a ban but Lennon admitted he is determined to concentrate only on football this week.

He said: “I don’t have to go to court now to give evidence. That is a big weight off my mind and it means that I can concentrate solely on my football this week.

“Regarding the other stuff from the weekend I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

“I was rash in what I did but all I want to do now is concentrate on my football because this is a big week for us.”

Celtic reached the UEFA Cup final last season after being dumped out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage by Swiss underdogs FC Basle.

This time they have earned the chance to face some of the top teams in Europe after progressing past Kaunas and MTK Hungaria.

That campaign starts tomorrow night when they take on Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League game.

But Lennon admitted Celtic should already be familiar with Europe’s top club competition.

He told the club’s website, www.celticfc.co.uk: “You would expect Celtic to be in the Champions League on a regular basis.

“This is only the second time that we have been in the group stages and you would have to say that for a club of this size it is quite a poor record when compared to clubs of equal stature.

“The aim now of the manager and the players is to ensure that we are involved on this kind of stage consistently.

“Hopefully that would generate the finances that would also push the club up the European ladder.”