Lennon and Celtic focused on Aberdeen

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon has warned Aberdeen they will be in the firing line for a return to form by the Hoops on Saturday…

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon has warned Aberdeen they will be in the firing line for a return to form by the Hoops on Saturday

The Parkhead side were poor in the Champions League defeat at Anderlecht leaving them with plenty to do if they are to qualify for the last 16.

The former Northern Ireland international admits the team under-performed in Brussels but believes a return to Bank of Scotland Premier League action can bolster the side for the visit of the Belgian team on November 5th.

Lennon told www.celticfc.net: "The hard part now is getting ourselves ready for Saturday and the game against Aberdeen.

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"We can't allow ourselves to be distracted and once we've had a few days to reflect I'm sure we'll be up for it.

"It is nice to be back at the top of the league but we have to keep our good league form going.

"The Champions League is the big carrot for us at the minute but winning the league will always be our main aim.

"We have Anderlecht in a couple of weeks here at Celtic Park and we know that's a game we have to win, but at the minute it has to be put to the back of our minds as we concentrate on league business.

He added: "We have to regroup now and get ready to go again.

"The league is always our priority but I know all the players have set their sights on making the knock-out stages and our view is that there is still all to play for.

"We talked over a few things yesterday, the same way that we did after Munich, and hopefully we can rectify the problems we had when we get out onto the park again."

But, while Celtic have taken just three points from their opening three Champions League games, Lennon insists results elsewhere have allowed the club to remain in touch with the group.

He said: "It was a major blow for us but, with the other game between Bayern Munich and Lyon finishing up in a draw, it keeps the group wide open. We need to improve.

"Collectively, it was the biggest disappointment we have had in Europe for years because we know we didn't play as well as we can.

"We can't take anything away from Anderlecht because they played very well but we fell short on the night and that is disappointing.

"I don't know why that was the case but we seemed to be stretched the whole time.

"Anderlecht seemed to be sharper than us all over the pitch and we gave a bad goal away.

"In the final third as well, our play wasn't as good as what it can be and what it has been in recent weeks. It is well within our capabilities to beat Anderlecht when they come here and I'm sure they'll see a very different Celtic side that night.