Lennon hails 'fantastic' Champions League draw

Manager Neil Lennon declared himself “delighted” after Celtic were drawn against Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow in the Champions League.

The Parkhead men reached won through to the lucrative group stages for the first time since the 2008/09 season with a 4-0 aggregate win over Swedish side Helsingborg.

The Hoops boss watched the draw along with the players and the media at the club’s Lennoxtown training complex.

“I am delighted,” he said. “It is fantastic to be involved with the draw, very exciting and to be in a group with Barcelona – tough but real glamour games for the club – and the other two are huge clubs in their respective countries.

“We have familiar with all three clubs, we have recent history against all three of those teams.

“I remember under Gordon (Strachan) we played Barcelona and Benfica and we knocked out Moscow in a play-off.

“It’s a tough, tough group but all the teams play football so it should be attractive to watch.

“Let’s not get carried away, let’s see what fixtures are coming up.

“We are in it, it is fantastic to be here and we are going to make the most of it and enjoy it.”