NEIL LENNON is backing Brendan Rodgers to overcome his debut shocker in Gibraltar.
The former Celtic boss, now in charge at Hibs, has also urged the Hoops support to be patient.
Lennon said: “I think the furore over it is way over the top. These results can happen, it is so early. It’s only Brendan’s first game in charge and he’s still getting to know the players.
“I didn’t see the game, but the pitch was a shocker, conditions were difficult and a 1-0 deficit, Celtic will turn that around. I expect them to go through and reach the next round.
“Brendan’s had very little time to work with the players, very little.
“I’m sure Gibraltar will have been preparing for the game for a long long time. It’s probably meant the world to them to win the game, but I’m sure Celtic will get the job done in the second leg and progress to the next qualifying round.
“These games are always fraught with danger, they’re never easy. But Brendan will have had a good look now.
“He knows what he can and can’t get out of the players and he’ll know exactly what’s needed. He’ll get the job done.”
Lennon hit back at comparisons with Gordon Strachan’s debut which came in the 5-0 flop against Artmedia Bratislava, a game in which the former Northern Ireland played.
He added: “It’s too negative. If they go out of the competition then you can label those comparisons, but they’ve got another game at Celtic Park and I expect them to come through comfortably.
“They’ve had a manager in between myself and Brendan. And now Brendan needs time to put his own stamp on things and I’m sure he will.
“I think it’s a very good appointment and, obviously, it’s very early days. It’s his first competitive game and it’s unfair to compare them to other bad results that Celtic have had over the years because it’s a two-leg tie.”
