![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2.42134891.jpg\")
Defiant Neil Lennon has launched a bullish defense of his under-fire side as he insisted criticism aimed at Celtic has bordered on \u201chysteria\u201d.<\/p>\nDefiant Neil Lennon has launched a bullish defense of his under-fire side as he insisted criticism aimed at Celtic has bordered on \u201chysteria\u201d.<\/p>\n
Critics have rounded on the Hoops boss and his team since they were dumped out of the Champions League by Romanians Cluj last week.<\/p>\n
The flak intensified after it took extra-time and a deflected James Forrest strike to see off Championship side Dunfermline in the Betfred Cup on Saturday.<\/p>\n
But Lennon has hit out at those rushing to write Celtic off and believes his side can restore their European prestige by fighting past AIK Stockholm to reach the Europa League group stages.<\/p>\n
Ahead of hosting the Swedes on Thursday, the Northern Irishman called for calm, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s not me that is creating the headlines or shouting out the criticism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very supportive of the players and was after Cluj and Dunfermline. We\u2019ve lost one game \u2013 I didn\u2019t believe we deserved to and that\u2019s the harsh realities of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fine. We\u2019re absolutely fine. It\u2019s like everyone out there is head down. We\u2019re not. We\u2019re bullish and looking forward to the games.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has to be a sense of perspective.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t control that but there has been a little bit of hysteria at times. That is the environment you\u2019re in in Glasgow sometimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve lost one game and scored three goals in it, so it\u2019s not all doom and gloom.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to be bullish about things and look forward. It\u2019s a big disappointment to be out of the Champions League but the Europa League is a very good competition that hopefully we can prosper in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a narrative going around that we might be a little bit off color. We\u2019re not.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re absolutely not and hopefully the players can go out and show that tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a big season ahead. We\u2019re two league games in and have scored 12 goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are entitled to criticize me and the players but there has to be a sense of balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic have made the group stage of the Champions League or the Europa League every season since 2011 and Lennon believes it is vital his side maintain that record.<\/p>\n
Lennon, who is still hoping to add three or four new faces to his squad before the September 2 transfer deadline, added: \u201cObviously the players want to show they have some European pedigree.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important we get through. It gives us gravitas, opens the season up and gives us European football to look forward to towards Christmas, so it\u2019s an important couple of games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lennon has some useful contacts in Sweden but admits his former Parkhead number two Johan Mjallby may not be willing to divulge too much about his side\u2019s opponents.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll speak to Johan before the game but he\u2019s an AIK legend as well as a Celtic legend, so he may have divided loyalties,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very good friend of mine and my number two for four years during my first spell. He\u2019s coming to the game I believe so it will be good to see him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be a tough game. Swedes have a great mentality. It\u2019s vitally important that we start better than we did against Cluj.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a good look at AIK. We watched them last week and had some thorough reports on them. We\u2019re prepared and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n