Europa League: Reaction as Celtic climb top of group with victory over Cluj

Neil Lennon says that, while the Europa League might be less prestigious for English clubs because of the money involved, it is the opposite for Celtic and clubs from other countries and he is determined to restore his club's once famed home form in Europe.

"That's the challenge and that's what we've thrown down to the players," he tells BT Sport. "Can we improve on our record, particularly in the group stages?

"Well, they've started off well tonight, but I was really pleased with the all-round performance and Mohamed Elyounoussi was fantastic from start to finish tonight."

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon is full of praise for his side and thinks "there's more to come".

"It was an outstanding performance off the back of a great performance in Rennes," he tells BT Sport.

"My only disappointment is that we didn't win the game by more. We were really assured. The whole team functioned perfectly as a group.

"It was very exciting and it's great to be a manager back on that stage at Celtic Park.

"We're top of the group and it's a great start, but the group is still very open."

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Quote Message: Rennes won the French Cup last season and beat PSG, while Cluj have had some good results, but Celtic made them both look ordinary. It is a huge game coming up against Lazio and we'll see where they're really at, but at the moment, Celtic look like the best team in the group and can be confident going forward

Rennes won the French Cup last season and beat PSG, while Cluj have had some good results, but Celtic made them both look ordinary. It is a huge game coming up against Lazio and we'll see where they're really at, but at the moment, Celtic look like the best team in the group and can be confident going forward

Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie tells BT Sport: "Before the game we were desperate to make it count at home, so to get to go over the line, score two goals and keep a clean sheet, everyone goes home happy.

"We knew coming into this game we needed to take the game to Cluj and get the fans behind us and we did that.

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Quote Message: Still the rain pours down on to Celtic Park, where the Scottish champions are taking a well deserved lap of honour as Europa League Group E leaders. 2-0 on the night, could easily have been more and there are a fair few fans braving the conditions to clap their heroes off

Still the rain pours down on to Celtic Park, where the Scottish champions are taking a well deserved lap of honour as Europa League Group E leaders. 2-0 on the night, could easily have been more and there are a fair few fans braving the conditions to clap their heroes off

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Quote Message: The standout thing I take from this win for Celtic was that their energy levels were through the roof. Such a dominant performance and they convincingly put Cluj to the sword. Seeing that you wonder how they lost to them the last time and it shows the improvement since August

The standout thing I take from this win for Celtic was that their energy levels were through the roof. Such a dominant performance and they convincingly put Cluj to the sword. Seeing that you wonder how they lost to them the last time and it shows the improvement since August

Lazio come from a goal behind to get their Europa League campaign under way.

Morel put the French visitors ahead shortly after the break, but Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored and then set up Ciro Immobile for the second.

Next up for the Italians is a double header against Celtic, which could decide the group winner.

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Celtic go top of Europa League Group E with a dominant win over Cluj.

It is doubly impressive considering the Romanian champions won 4-3 on their recent visit to Glasgow to knock Neil Lennon's side out of Champions League qualifying.

An early headed goal from Odsonne Edouard put Celtic in control and Mohamed Elyounoussi fired the second after the break to avenge that loss and give them increased confidence that they can qualify for the knock-out stage.

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Another change for Celtic, with Olivier Ntcham replacing Ryan Christie, who has had another impressive display in the home midfield.

Odsonne Edouard charges into the Cluj penalty box and only a last-ditch challenge from Kevin Boli prevents the Frenchman picking up his second goal of the game.

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard picks up a needless booking as he kicks the ball away after being ruled offside.

Manager Steven Gerrard has been philosophical about his side's defeat in Switzerland when speaking to Rangers TV.

"Football can be cruel at times," he says. "We have to take it on the chin and we only have ourselves to blame - we gifted Young Boys a victory."

Gerrard thinks "we at least deserved a point" but said that this and previous defeats had been "because of naivety and individual errors".

"When you face a certain level of player and a certain level of team, to give yourself a chance of taking something out of the games, you can't give them gifts and you can't make important mistakes," he says. "We need to learn from gifting teams a route back into the game or gifting teams three points."

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Celtic boss Neil Lennon obviously thinks the job is done, taking off key man James Forrest and replacing him with fellow winger Jonny Hayes.

Celtic are pressing for a third and Odsonne Edouard flashes a drive over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty box.

A more attacking threat for Cluj with forward Catalin Golofca replacing midfielder Damjan Djokovic.

Celtic have subdued that bit of Cluj pressure and now look like they are going to cruise to victory.