CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has insisted that securing UEFA Champions League football this season remains a priority despite the uniqueness of this term’s title challenge.
There has been an element of the Parkhead side support who regard the delivery of a ninth successive title as paramount given that it will open the door to the possibility of an historic 10th championship.
While that remains the ambition, Lennon’s focus on Champions League football is undiluted by what he appreciates is a season that will harbour pressures of a different nature.
“Obviously there are other aspects to this season that will overshadow the Champions League in some fans’ eyes, like nine-in-a-row,” said the Celtic manager. “For me it’s still the priority. A big priority. If you can get there then the whole season opens up but it’s not easy.
“It’s not any less important for me and not for the players. We’re giving it full throttle at the minute.
“I know the league kicks off next Saturday and we will prepare properly for that. But we are giving Europe a lot of our attention and a lot of detail.
“People are maybe not too sure about it. There doesn’t seem to be that desperation at the minute but the minds of some fans might be on other things. But for us, there’s still a desperation to qualify. It will mean a lot to us if we do.”
Celtic are effectively halfway into their journey through the qualification phase after their commanding 5-0 win over Estonian side Nomme Kalju in Glasgow on Wednesday night that gives them one foot in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers.
They had to settle for a Europa League place last term after going out to AEK Athens. Participation in Europe’s premier tournament is far more lucrative but there are other aspects that are driving Lennon’s quest to steer Celtic back into elite company.
“If you do qualify, it feels like winning a trophy,” said Lennon who successfully qualified to the group stages as both player and manager. “I’ve said that to the players.
“There’s a different feeling in the Champions League compared with the Europa.
“There aren’t just financial implications for the club but what it will mean for the players themselves. So one the supporters, two the club and three the players’ own development.
“They are playing on the big stage. It’s fantastic.
“But we still have a long way to go before we can start talking about that.”
Lennon was in Rhyl on Thursday night to look at 18-year-old Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlovic as Partizan Belgrade played Connah’s Quay Nomads as Celtic continue to scout for further additions this term. There have been four new arrivals in the current window for the expectancy is that they will be more to follow.
“I ended up in with the Partizan fans,” said Lennon. “That was an eye opener as well. There was an Irishman in the middle of it. He must have got lost. We were looking at a player. I’m just doing my job. A lot would fall into place if we do qualify but I’m uneasy talking about qualification as we are still so far off it.”
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