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WATCH: Lennon claims Neymar was looking to provoke Celtic players

Celtic manager Neil Lennon claimed Neymar was attempting to "wind-up" his players in a 4-0 friend...



WATCH: Lennon claims Neymar wa...
Soccer

WATCH: Lennon claims Neymar was looking to provoke Celtic players

Celtic manager Neil Lennon claimed Neymar was attempting to "wind-up" his players in a 4-0 friendly thrashing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

The game was perhaps most notable for the fact that 5,000 supporters were allowed inside for the game at the Parc des Princes.

Kylian Mbappé put PSG ahead inside the first minute. The hosts then cruised to victory courtesy of goals from Neymar, Ander Herrera and Pablo Serabia.

However, Celtic boss Lennon was left exasperated with the antics of Neymar.

"He was just trying to wind people up," Lennon told the Daily Record.

"I said to the players you just have to keep your discipline and not take the bait really.

"He is infuriating but he knows it."

However, speaking to Celtic TV, Lennon had no qualms about the result, "We were playing against a world-class side," he said.

"We didn’t get off to the best of starts, but I thought after that, for about 30-35 minutes, we were a match and we played some really good football. I’m so disappointed we didn’t get a goal because I thought our play deserved one.

“But that’s as stiff an examination as you’re going to get, so in terms of a working exercise on the physical side of the game, the mental side and the concentration side of it, that’s as good as it gets. I’m really pleased with a lot of aspects of the game.”

Celtic are due to begin their hunt for a 10th consecutive Scottish title on August 2 at home to Hamilton.

Callum McGregor says the game will stand them in good stead for their adventures outside of Scotland.

"We spoke about it in the changing room after the game," he told Celtic TV, "The Champions League is the level that we want to play at, so the PSG game is a nice taste of what could be.

"But we always know how hard it is to get there and that’s the level that we have to reach. It was a very good exercise, 90 minutes in the legs, and good to see the opposition.

“I felt good out there. It’s 90 minutes and a tough, tough shift as well. You could play a full game against lesser opposition and it’s not as hard on the legs, but that’s a real big shift where you’re always looking, running and concentrating.

"It’s mental and physical fitness. I think the boys are looking in good shape and we’ll try and take the positives from the game.

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Ander Herrera Callum McGregor Celtic Kylian Mbappe Neil Lennon Neymar PSG Paris Saint Germain