IT’S ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR WON

Lennon insists Celtic’s three Musketeers will be key on return to French soil

AN exciting Europa League adventure beckons for Celtic’s Three Musketeers. A chance for this trio of French players to show some swashbuckling style in front of an audience of compatriots.

Neil Lennon can think of no greater incentive for Odsonne Edouard, Christopher Jullien and Olivier Ntcham as Group E gets under way against Rennes. While the first two are nailed-on selections, the Parkhead manager also hinted there could well be a place for midfielder Ntcham on his return to home soil.

Lennon feels the situation can drag an extra per cent or two from his gifted Gallic performers. After all, what better way to show the old country their merits than by overcoming a high-quality Rennes side sitting second in the Ligue 1 standings having won three of their opening five matches?

‘I’m tempted to bring Olivier Ntcham in because he’s a good player,’ admitted Lennon.

‘The guys coming back to France — Jullien knows the environment very well, Odsonne’s been away with the Under-21s and did fantastically well.

‘So I always think going back to your home country there’s always a great incentive to show the people back home, your family and friends, how much you’ve come on and developed.

‘I think there is a little bit extra incentive and motivation for these players, there’s no question of that. I used to love going back to Ireland or even going to England with Celtic, having played there for so long. ‘There’s just that little bit extra. One, there’s the familiarity for them, and two, there’s a point to prove.’ Edouard’s stock is soaring fastest of all among the French contingent. As highlighted by Lennon, the reigning Ladbrokes Premiership Player of the Month graduated to his national side’s Under-21s squad in seamless style — scoring four goals in two recent appearances. With Napoli among the clubs now eyeing a possible £30million move for the 21-year-old, a goal in Brittany would certainly further emphasise his development. ‘We don’t want to put him under any extra pressure,’ stressed Lennon (left), who revealed striker Leigh Griffiths had remained in Scotland after picking up a thigh knock. ‘He’s getting a lot of publicity, but you wouldn’t know with Odsonne, he seems to take it in his stride.

‘You are looking for your big players in big games, and this is why we’re in the Europa League.

‘We want to perform and we want to prevail, and we will need a good performance from him if we are going to do that, I think.

‘In general, I always say to the players that you never know who is watching. Not that we want them to go, but you always want to leave a good impression on people.

‘Tomorrow night is the start of an exciting group. And the players should be excited. They have been in good form and there is no reason why they cannot carry that good form into this match.

‘While we are positive, we are also very respectful and wary of the opposition because they are a very good team.’

Rennes coach Julien Stephan views Italian giants Lazio as the favourites in the section, with Celtic not far behind.

Lennon in no way underestimates the challenge that will unfold over six matches but feels this is a group there to be won.

‘I think so,’ added the Northern Irishman. ‘Again, it is probably a bit too early to say anything on it.

‘I wouldn’t say you could throw a blanket over the four teams but there is pretty much nothing in it for me.

‘Every team will take points off each other as it goes on.

‘I think Lazio are a quality side but I think we are a quality side and so are Rennes. I know Cluj have their own qualities.

‘Yes, they lost to Slavia Prague (after beating Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers) but in the away game against them, they could easily have equalised.

‘They have a different way of playing that is maybe not easy on the eye, but it is effective and they will maybe give someone a bloody nose along the way.’

A 1-1 draw here in 2011 was vital for Lennon in terms of building a European know-how that led to the following season’s indelible group-stage victory over Barcelona in the Champions League and a place in the last 16.

The obvious aim is to grow similarly during his second spell in charge. And the Celtic manager takes encouragement from signs of fortitude — with only one loss in the club’s last six away continental matches.

‘This is a step up again,’ insisted Lennon. ‘But I’m delighted with the away form and then the icing on the cake was the qualification game in Stockholm when we were outstanding.

‘I’m hoping to carry a bit more of that into this game, although we know it’s a step up in class. It’s certainly a game, though, that we feel we can maybe get something out of.

‘We know that we may not dominate the ball, so our shape out of possession has to be good and compact.

‘We have to be brave on the ball in the attacking half of the pitch, and I’ve seen that a lot from this team.’