CELTIC may have crashed out of European football’s elite competition to Hungarian side Ferencvaros via a shock defeat. 

But Neil Lennon believes his players have a Champions League style campaign ahead after his players showed determination to bounce back and claim a spot in the group stages of the Europa League.

The Hoops were drawn against AC Milan, Sparta Prague and Lille in Europe’s secondary competition after they manoeuvred their way past Sarajevo on Thursday night. 

And with the ties coming thick and fast following this month’s international break, Lennon is keen to hit the ground running in this year's tournament, alongside an important season domestically. 

“I think it’s a fantastic draw. People will say it’s a difficult group, but I think it’s a brilliant group,” he said. 

“It will be like a Champions League group, at one stage it would have been. The quality of teams in the group, it’s very exciting, and the players are really relishing the challenge that lies ahead. 

“Domestically we know what our incentives are too. We have got good depth in the squad and we are looking to bring one more in and keep everybody else. If we do that I’ll be absolutely delighted.” 

Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas, Shane Duffy and David Turnbull have all made a positive impact on the Celtic squad since their arrival at Parkhead. 

And Lennon puts that down to the hard work of his recruitment team, who have been working around the clock during difficult circumstances.

He explained: “I’ve been really pleased with what we have brought in. Nick (Hammond) has had more time to install the infrastructure behind the scenes. 

“That took a mountain of work and he and his staff and scouts, who we have based in various places, have been working tirelessly. We’ve been trying to get the right fit at the right price. 

“I think they have done a remarkable job. Albian has been a fantastic piece of business. 

“We are just at disappointed he has had to miss out through injury but that was always a risk with him having been out for so long and not playing much football at West Ham. 

“Barkas is an international goalkeeper and I’m delighted with him. We had the blow of losing Fraser Forster but we’ve got a really good goalkeeper in who was superb on Thursday. 

“Turnbull is a great young talent, we are delighted with him. And Duffy has been immense. 

“You’ve also got Elyounoussi who we’ve managed to keep on and he is now starting to show some real consistent form. So, yes, I think our business has been very good.” 

Celtic will now face a hectic schedule when the squad returns following the international break, with matches coming up against Rangers, AC Milan and Lille. 

There is also the small matter of a Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, and with an abundance of games coming in quick succession, Lennon has expressed the importance of having strength and depth in his ranks. 

He said: “Getting into the group stage changes the whole landscape of the season. And with the quality of the teams in the group that’s something the players will relish. 

“I think the pressure is always on the qualifying. Get there and you can go and enjoy the group.  

“That’s huge for us to have in front of us. It’s very exciting and I think it will make the players think ‘Yeah, I want to be here’. 

“The one ingredient missing is the packed houses at Parkhead which is a major advantage for us. 

“We have a big season domestically and that huge challenge in front of us in Europe. That’s something not a lot of clubs can offer. Things will hopefully settle down after Monday. 

“The flip side is that players will be going off with their international teams and that’s another ten days of concerns and worry that they don’t pick up any injuries, and we lose players for any length of time.” 

Two men who won’t feature on international duty are Ajeti and Nir Bitton, although the latter has still been selected for his country despite limping off against Sarajero on Thursday. 

Lennon confirmed there is no way Bitton will be able to feature, saying: “It’s going to be impossible. He is not going to be fit. 

“His foot is in a pot at the moment to try and get the swelling down. After that there has to be a diagnosis of the damage in there, if there is any ligament damage or not. 

“I can’t see him being fit for any of the international games. 

“The Rangers game may be a stretch too, but we won’t know until we have a proper look and get it scanned.” 

On the possibility of Ajeti making the Rangers clash, Lennon added: “He has a reasonable chance of making the squad. 

“Obviously, he won’t be away with Switzerland and he will be working round the clock with the physios over the next couple of weeks.”