Lennon salutes debutants after draw

Celtic manager Neil Lennon said he was proud of his rookie Champions League players after they opened their Group G campaign with a goalless draw against Benfica at Parkhead. The Hoops had 10 players making their Champions League debuts on Wednesday, with only captain Scott Brown having played in the group stage of the competition before. Lennon himself was taking charge of his first Champions League match as manager, having lead his side to the group phase for the first time in four years. And the Celtic coach was pleased with how his side performed against a Benfica side who topped a group that included Manchester United on their way to the Champions League quarter-finals last season. “We played with real zest and no fear against a class side, so it’s a decent start for us. It could have been better, it could have been worse,” Lennon said. “We are learning as we go along. The players have sampled it now and they’ve had a feel of it. “There were 10 players out there making their Champions League debuts against a very experienced Champions League side, so I’m very proud of the team.”