Celtic squad 'depth' pulled apart as Brendan Rodgers told the factor lacking amid Champions League assault

Brendan Rodgers is still searching for the squad depth he needs to mount a full throttle Champions League assault, reckons Neil Lennon.

The Irishman went toe-to-toe with tactically savvy Diego Simeone and co as Celtic grabbed a well-earned 2-2 draw with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid and got off the mark in Europe's elite competition. It was a big night for the Hoops big performers such as Kyogo and Matt O'Riley, but the class of world-beaters Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata shone through. It's been unearthed that the Hoops have the least expenditure on squad in the whole competition and former boss Lennon reckons it shows.

The man who last commanded Celtic to a home Champions League group stage win believes Rodgers can go one-on-one with the best the continent has to offer, but that he doesn't have layers upon layers of players to call upon when the level reaches the dizzying heights of the Champions League.

He told PLZ Soccer: "It was scintillating (first half). One of the best I've seen from Celtic in a long time. The pace and the quality of the football, the two goals were magnificent...they were inspired, up against a top team that brings the best out of you. They can compete at that level but the main question was can they maintain it after half time?

"They were always in the game Atletico because they're a top team, Brendan could feel the game getting away from them so he changed it and brought on another defender. It was a great point, and gets them on the map in the group.

"It's always the same in Europe, can you maintain that level of energy and intensity? The other thing is, I'm not convinced at that level they've got the depth he (Rodgers) would be looking for to play that way. So it's just small steps