Celtic boss Neil Lennon: "It's not over yet"

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has refused to give up hope of reaching the group stage of the Champions League following their 2-0 playoff defeat to Kazakh side Shakhtyor Karaganda.

Tuesday's hosts will make the return trip to Glasgow next Wednesday and the Northern Irishman warned his players that they need to improve quickly.

"It's not over yet, we've got to go back to Celtic Park," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "It's a disappointing result. We should have scored and that would have put a different complexion on the tie.

"There is plenty for me to chew on in terms of chances but Shakhtyor didn't surprise us with the way they played. We knew they would throw balls forward and we should have dealt with the first one a lot better.

"I don't know how many chances we had tonight - clear-cut ones as well - but if you don't take your chances you make life difficult for yourself. There are a few players who will be disappointed with their performances tonight. They've got to get better very quickly."

Shakhtyor players and staff reportedly sacrificed a sheep for good luck ahead of the match.