Lennon unimpressed with Bolingoli last week, improved on Tuesday

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Celtic boss Neil Lennon has commented on Boli Bolingoli

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he thought Boli Bolingoli was ‘a lot stronger’ against Nomme Kalju this week.

The Bhoys headed over to Estonia on Tuesday night with a 5-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League qualifying clash, and saw off the minnows with ease.

An own goal by Aleksandr Kulinits put Celtic in front on the night, before substitute Maryan Shved came on to add a second late on.

With a 7-0 aggregate win, Celtic easily set up a clash with CFR Cluj in the next round, and Lennon will be hoping to see them off too.

He’ll be hoping that left back Bolingoli will be more settled in too, with the Belgian still finding his feet since his move from Rapid Vienna last month.

The 24-year-old has been featuring in Kieran Tierney’s absence, and has actually had issues himself having been struck down with a virus.

Bolingoli endured a nightmare in the first leg, struggling in his 37 minutes before being hauled off for Mikey Johnston, but came back with a stronger display on Tuesday.

Now, boss Lennon has admitted that he thought Bolingoli was ‘really off it’ in the first leg, and wasn’t sure whether that was down to the virus or not, but felt that he was much stronger in the second leg, praising his work going forward and defensively.

“I thought [Bolingoli] was good in Tallinn,” said Lennon. “I thought he was a lot stronger. He looked really off it last week and I don’t know whether that was down to the virus or not. He was more like himself offensively and defensively. His fitness levels were good so, yeah, a much more rounded performance from him,” he added.