Celtic boss bans talk of Barcelona as Dundee United lie in wait

Neil Lennon saw his side bounce back from successive defeats to see off St Johnstone.SNS Group

Celtic’s players have been banned from discussing their forthcoming Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Manager Neil Lennon wants his side to remain focused on their league duties, with Dundee United lying in wait before the Catalan giants visit Glasgow next week.

"We have three or four days before we play Dundee United and that is our main focus," said Lennon.

"Barcelona is coming up next week but I don't want to talk about that until after Dundee United on Sunday.

"Before last night's game I said to the players that last week they were well motivated, in a nice climate, going out at the Nou Camp.

"It was different [against St Johnstone], maybe 15,000 to 20,000 people there, but I said their attitude had to be the same and I got that."

Lennon demanded more from his side for their Scottish Communities League Cup quarter final tie with St Johnstone on Tuesday night, following their weekend loss to Kilmarnock.

His squad responded with a resounding 5-0 victory over the Saints, with Kris Commons in particular impressing with a hat-trick after a subdued performance against Killie.

Lennon added: "Kris wasn't at his best at weekend but he gave me the response I asked for.

"That typified his season, he was bright, alert, his passing was quality and he has always been a good finisher so that will do him the world of good.

"It was dominant performance and one that I wanted.

"The ones who played on Saturday knew that had fallen below the standards they set themselves

"We have moved on from the weekend but I will be demanding more as the season goes on."

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