Source: Team_Talk
Lennon: There's still some way to go
eil Lennon says Celtic's poor European away record means their Europa League tie against Utrecht is still very much alive despite a 2-0 win.[LNB] Goals from Efrain Juarez and Georgios Samaras put the Hoops firmly in the driving seat ahead of the return leg of the play-offs in Holland next week.[LNB]Lennon had no complaints about the efforts of his players tonight but believes it would be dangerous to take a place in the group stages for granted just yet.[LNB]"Have you seen our away record?" he smiled wryly.[LNB]"You are never comfortable. But, if you had asked me before the game if I'd have taken 2-0, I would have said yes against a very good side.[LNB]"Going into next week, we have a lot to think about but it was very satisfying tonight.[LNB]"It was a clean-sheet which was important and I fancied us to score some goals tonight and we've done that.[LNB]"Overall, it's pleasing but there is still a lot of work to do in the tie. We rode our luck at times. There were a lot of things that pleased me but you can see that there is still a bit of work to do as well."[LNB]Efrain and Samaras may have netted the goals that mattered but it was 22-year-old debutant Beram Kayal who stole the show with an impressive display.[LNB]"He's got a bit of everything," said Lennon.[LNB]"He was making tackle after tackle and passed the ball very well. You could see in the second half that he has it in him to push past people as well.[LNB]"All round, I think we've got a very good player there. It's early days but I was delighted with his debut.[LNB]"It was always in my mind to play him. He came in last week and he has been very impressive in training.[LNB]"We just needed to know how his fitness was and after we spoke to the medical department, we thought let's get him in there and playing.[LNB]"He's mature for his age. I like his mentality and his hunger. He's got all the things you want in a player."[LNB]Asked if he sees bits of himself in Kayal's game, Lennon added: "He actually gets forward more than me.[LNB]"Believe it or not, I used to be able to burst past people and I like that in him.[LNB]"He can take the ball under pressure and he can see a pass and he can tackle. His closing down, his energy, all those things were pleasing on the eye."[LNB]Like Lennon, Utrecht coach Ton du Chatinier believes the tie is far from over and, when asked if his team can still progress, he replied: "Why not?[LNB]"Here in Glasgow it was a hot night but in Holland with our full support, why not?[LNB]"At home we are very strong. We played against Ajax last season and won. We played against Feyenoord and won.[LNB]"We know that Celtic are out of the Champions League and for this club it's very important to go further in the Europa League.[LNB]"But it's a bonus that we have already played four games against Tirana and Lucerne and we look forward to next week."
