Champions League

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Oct 23, 2012 at 7.45pm UK

Barcelona
2-1
Celtic

Neil Lennon: 'Bernd Schuster is a failure as a coach'

By Subhankar Mondal, Reporter | 26 October 2012

Neil Lennon ignores Bernd Schuster's comments about Celtic's performance against Barcelona and claims that the German is a failure as a coach.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has slammed Bernd Schuster for his comments about the Scottish giants not being suitable to play in the Champions League.

The former Real Madrid coach criticised the Hoops for their negative approach against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Tuesday in a game that eventually finished 2-1 to the Catalan hosts.

"I am disappointed that the media here wanted to emphasise his thoughts on the game," Lennon is quoted as saying by the BBC. "It's just the ramblings of someone who has failed as a coach.

Lennon added that he did not mean to play with a defensive mindset against Barcelona.

"I did go with two strikers and I did bring on James Forrest and Kris Commons," he said.

"I didn't set out to be defensive, but sometimes Barcelona can get a grip of the opposition and not let go. So I don't take too much notice of Bernd Schuster.

"I am more into the thoughts of Gordon Strachan, Martin O'Neill and the Alex Fergusons of this world, who I would take advice from before anyone else."

Celtic are currently second in Group G, five points behind leaders Barcelona.