Celtic: Lennon ready for disrespectful Shakhter

Celtic boss Neil Lennon

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Celtic boss Neil Lennon says Shakhter Karagandy run the risk of being over confident and has accused their coach of disrespecting Hoops ahead of Champions League play-off second leg.

The champions of Kazakhstan head to Glasgow with a healthy lead from the first tie between the two teams after coming out on top in Astana 2-0.

Having outplayed the Scottish champions for long periods last week, Shakhter’s coach Viktor Kumykov had boasted that his side would “score a pair of goals” at Parkhead to make sure of qualification to the Champions League group stage.

Lennon has angrily hit back at his opposite number’s comments in the build-up to the game, claiming they will only inspire his players to go out and get the result they need.

“I think it (their confidence) is very dangerous and it can always come back to bite you,” said the Hoops coach.

“This is a two-game tie and it is disrespectful to my team as well.

“I don’t need to motivate my players for tomorrow night but if they want to keep talking the way they are doing then that’s fine.”

Celtic will have to cope without midfielder Beram Kayal for the game on Wednesday after he was ruled out for two weeks with the injury he picked up in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Kris Commons, James Forrest, Derk Boerrigter and Anthony Stokes could also miss the game.

However, the Bhoys have been boosted by the news that Georgios Samaras has passed himself fit for the second leg of the tie.

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