Neil Lennon: 'Lionel Messi absence is bittersweet'

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has claimed that Lionel Messi's absence for Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Barcelona is "tinged with sadness".

The Scottish champions have been handed a boost ahead of the fixture at Parkhead with the news that the Argentine is out injured for the Spanish giants.

"It's obviously very good news for us because for me he's the best player in the world," BBC Sport quotes him as saying.

"But it's also tinged with sadness as it's always good to see the best players here in Glasgow."

Celtic famously beat Barcelona 2-1 on home turf last season on their way to the last 16 of the competition.