Neil Lennon believes HJK Helsinki's artificial pitch will give the Finnish team an edge over Celtic in tonight's Champions League qualifier – but will not use it as an excuse should his side come unstuck.

The Hoops are leading 2-1 from last Wednesday night's first-leg in Glasgow but the 3G surface at the Sonera Stadium has become the focus of attention ahead of thereturn game.

Celtic keeper Fraser Forster joked last week that diving about on artificial surfaces as a youngster was like "playing on a car park".

And Lennon admitted the pitch could have a bearing on his team's chances of getting through to the play-offs.

"I think it is an advantage to any team used to playing on it," said Lennon.

"We very rarely use artificial surfaces, if at all.

"So it will definitely give them some sort of an advantage but we can't use that as an excuse.

"We will have a look at the pitch tonight and think about the team selection for the game.

"But we will go into the game with a positive frame of mind.

"We feel we have got a very good, vibrant young team and we feel this is an important step in the right direction if we can come through this tie. It will take this team forward."

Celtic's slender lead is likely to ensure a fraught evening for the Parkhead side but Lennon insists his side will not – and cannot – leave the dressing room with a draw in mind.

"It is very difficult to set your team out to play for a draw," said the Northern Irishman. "I am not too sure we have too many players in that mindset.

"It is not an SPL game so we have to approach it a little bit differently, but we are not coming here to sit back and defend all night because that can bring problems.

"We will try to score a goal, or maybe two, if we can but a clean sheet will get us through and we will focus on that as well."

Scott Brown's hip injury kept him out of the 1-0 SPL win over Aberdeen at weekend.

James Forrest also missed the curtain raiser and is battling to recover from a groin injury.

Forward Georgios Samaras has shrugged off the effects of a face injury sustained against the Dons while defender Charlie Mulgrew returns from suspension.

Lennon is confident that Brown will make it but will continue to monitor his players.

"Georgios will be fine," said the former Celtic skipper. "We will see how James and Scott are. They are still a little bit stiff and sore. I think there has been a significant improvement in both of them over the last couple of days."