Celtic legend Pat Bonner thinks that the current Hoops side has a better squad and a better tactical system to excel in Europe than compared to the team that Brendan Rodgers managed.

Neil Lennon’s men are now in pole position to qualify from their Europa League group after their 2-1 win against Lazio last night, and Bonner thinks their defensive organisation is playing a key role in their success:

“Last year and the year before we were watching European games and not knowing what Celtic was going to turn up. I think they look stronger now and have a better balance.”

“They have a stronger squad than when Brendan Rodgers was here. Rodgers’ team played good football but they were open in Europe under him.”

With seven points from their opening three group matches, Celtic still need two more wins to guarantee qualification. However, their fate is in their own hands heading into the return fixture versus Lazio, before closing out the group with a home game against Rennes and an away trip to Cluj.

For the time being, though, the Scottish club’s attention will turn back to domestic matters. They face Aberdeen on Sunday and St Mirren on Wednesday before their League Cup semi-final tie with Hibernian.