Lennon fires back at Schuster

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has hit back at former Germany international Bernd Schuster after he claimed Celtic do not belong in the Champions League.

Despite Lennon’s team being a whisker away from claiming a famous draw at Camp Nou against Barcelona on Tuesday, Schuster blasted the negative tactics which saw Celtic produce just two shots on target all game.

“It’s just the ramblings of someone who has failed as a coach,” Lennon raged on BBC Sport. “I don’t take too much notice of Bernd Schuster.

“I am more into the thoughts of Gordon Strachan, Martin O’Neill and the Alex Ferguson’s of this world, who I would take advice from before anyone else. I am disappointed that the media here wanted to emphasise his thoughts on the game.”

Schuster was similarly critical of Chelsea’s tactics in their Champions League final win in May, but Lennon insists he did not set out to appear so defensive.

“I was sitting there 60 minutes into the game thinking ‘God, what is Bernd Schuster thinking of our performance here, I better change it’,” Lennon added sarcastically.

“I did go with two strikers and I did bring on James Forrest and Kris Commons.

“I didn’t set out to be defensive, but sometimes Barcelona can get a grip of the opposition and not let go.”