No defeat, even in a friendly, sits easily with the Celtic manager. But as he sifted through the evidence offered by the 2-0 loss to Wolves, the Parkhead boss still managed to draw more positives than negatives.

Stipe Pletikosa got another chance to convince Lennon he should he given the opportunity to fill the goalkeeping void created when Fraser Forster returned to Newcastle, though the Croatian will be disappointed his wall crumbled to expose him badly for the opening goal, scored from a free-kick by Jamie O'Hara.

Katlego Mphela and Milos Lacny were each given 45 minutes to try and prove they have the necessary predatory instinct and skills to add to the Celtic armoury.

Lennon will discuss with his backroom staff how they fared before a decision is made on whether any or all of them is invited to play in the Dublin Super Cup matches against Inter Milan and a League of Ireland Select this weekend.

It is highly unlikely a strong enough case was presented by any of the trio to prompt Lennon to go as far as offering them the chance to join the club on a more permanent basis.

Not at this stage, at any rate. And not with another three friendly matches before Celtic return to SPL action a week on Sunday at Aberdeen.

Not many of the men who started against Wolves, trialists and signed players alike, are sure to figure in that game.

The only home game in their eight-match series of friendlies was very much used as an opportunity to see what the manager has in reserve, with most of his first picks lining up against Hibs last weekend and set to face Inter on Saturday.

Lennon explained: "I don't look too much into the Wolves game with three trialists playing and a couple of players making their debut at Celtic Park. They all acquitted themselves very well."

Though they did combine to give Wolves a decent game, that was perhaps gilding it a little as Mick McCarthy's team – at least a fortnight behind Celtic in terms of preparation – were worth their win, courtesy of O'Hara's opener in the first half and an unfortunate own goal by second-half sub Filip Twardzik.

How Celtic's striker trialists would have liked to get their as-yet unfamiliar names on the score sheet.

But, South African Mphela – who played for the first 45 minutes – seldom got himself into a scoring position while Slovakian Lacny, who replaced him at the interval, did but was left frustrated that his team-mates did not anticipate his enthusiastic and intelligent positioning.

Lennon revealed he did have some sympathy for the latter and said: "Milos made a couple of decent runs and he was unlucky with a header which he just got under from a corner.

"But there were some very good performances. James Forrest was excellent in the second half."

Indeed he was, which is heartening for all who anguished as the youngster struggled to regain his early-season form after suffering an inflammatory injury midway through his debut campaign.

Lennon is very much a leading figure in Forrest's fan club, and hopes he is watching the green shoots of recovery of the winger's damaged confidence.

"It's a joy to watch James sometimes, and we just want him to be a little bit more positive in his play," said the manager.

"He got a lot of confidence from the run he went on midway through the second half, and from then on he gave the full-back a really hard time."

Lennon has shown admirable patience with the 20-year-old, who was rewarded for his progress last term with a new contract and a Scotland cap.

The precocious talent from Prestwick will continue to be allowed to develop at his own pace, and Lennon said: "James is an explosive type of player, so he may pick up niggles here and there.

"He has moved closer to Glasgow so he does not have to travel so much, which, obviously, is important.

"You're going to get a little yo-yo effect with younger players, anyway.

"But we'll be looking for more consistency from him this year, if he stays fit, because I think he is a great talent."

Forrest has a decent example to follow in the shape of Kris Commons, who replaced Shaun Maloney for the last half-hour against Wolves. Unfortunately, during that time he took a slight knock, and will be checked over today.

Lennon explained: "Kris got a little bump on the ankle, but we think it is not serious.

"We just wanted to give him a little more game time, and he will feature again at the weekend.

"I'd imagine most players will get on the pitch at some time over the two days in Dublin, but, obviously, the Inter Milan game is the one whetting everyone's appetite and we'd like to take it as a serious game.

"The two matches will be serious, but we'll be looking for some kind of marker from the Inter Milan game."

TIMES TALKER: What did Lenny learn from loss?

PLENTY says RONNIE CULLY

AS part of the convoluted series of warm-up games, Celtic manager Neil Lennon decided to field what was virtually his back-up team, laced with a trio of trialists, against the Premiership outfit.

And the gulf between his first-choice XI and the side that took to the field last night was evident.

Sure, it was packed with full internationalists, and it is good to know that players with this kind of pedigree are waiting in the wings.

However, few, if any, made a serious claim to be promoted to the first team.

There remains much work to be done before the two-players-contesting-every-position scenario is well established.

It was also a reminder that mistakes which might go unpunished against Aussie, Championship or SPL teams are likely to carry a hefty penalty when the opposition comes from a higher level.

TO TAKE STOCK says ALISON McCONNELL

Neil Lennon used last night's match as an opportunity to take a closer look at a couple of the players he has had in on trial, namely goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and strikers Katlego Mphela and Milos Lacny.

What the Celtic manager will have learned is that there is still work to be done on that front.

The Croatian goalkeeper looked horribly exposed at the opening goal. While he has 82 caps, the serious knee ligament damage he sustained a couple of years ago, and the subsequent time on the sidelines, has robbed him of genuine match sharpness.

Mphela and Lacny got 45 minutes each, but neither really offered a definitive statement that would suggest they are better than what Lennon has at the minute.

On a brighter note for the manager, youngster James Forrest performed well and his contribution caught the eye on a couple of occasions.