Former Hoops boss Neil Lennon has urged the Celtic support to bide their time after Tuesday night’s shock defeat to Gibraltar Red Imps.

Brendan Rodgers’ regime got off to a humiliating start after the 1-0 defeat in the club’s opening UEFA Champions League qualifier, a result that was quickly labelled as one of the most embarrassing in the their history.

But Lennon believes that Celtic will come out on top in the tie and has insisted that the reaction to the defeat has been excessive.

“I think the furore over it is way over the top,” he said. "These results can happen, it is so early. It's only Brendan's first game in charge; he's still getting to know the players.

"I didn't see the game but the pitch was a shocker, conditions were difficult and a 1-0 deficit, Celtic will turn that around. I expect them to go through and reach the next round.

"Brendan’s had very little time to work with the players, very little.

"I’m sure Gibraltar will be preparing for the game for a long long time. It’s probably meant the world to them to win the game but I’m sure Celtic will get the job done in the second leg and progress to the next qualifying round.

"They’re also fraught with danger these games, they’re never easy but Brendan would have had a good look now.

"He knows what he can and can’t get out of the players and he’ll know exactly what’s needed and he’ll get the job done."

And Lennon bristled at comparisons with Tuesday's defeat and the Artmedia Bratislava 5-0 shocker, which he played in.

"It’s too negative and they’re not out the competition yet," he said. "If they go out of the competition then you can label those comparisons but they’ve got another game at Celtic Park and like I say I expect them to come through comfortably.

"They’ve had a manager in between myself and Brendan. And now Brendan needs time to put his own stamp on things and I’m sure he will.

"I think it’s a very good appointment and it’s very early days obviously it’s his first competitive game and it’s unfair to compare them to other bad results that Celtic have had over the years because it’s a two-leg tie."

However, former Celtic striker Andy Walker, though, did not mince his words as he laid into the team for the result.

"I can't quite believe what I saw," said Walker.

"I played in a few games for Celtic that were pretty embarrassing - arguably this is the worst result in the history of Celtic. It's embarrassing and humiliating. I don't think anyone saw it coming.

"Most of the players are Ronny Delia's signings, but this is Brendan Rodgers' team now. There's no escape from criticism and I think it highlights how much work is needed on the team.

"Brendan Rodgers coming into Celtic has given the supporters a lift, but these are the biggest games of the season.

"Rodgers has been brought in to deliver Champions League football and of course the tie is still very much alive, but this will shatter the confidence of some of the supporters.

"There is a level of humiliation here, this is a semi-amateur team. It's an extraordinary result and I don't think you can underestimate how sore the supporters will be feeling."

"Brendan Rodgers has called it wrong: this is embarrassing," he said.