NEIL Lennon last night admitted he was excited by the enormous potential of his young Celtic side after seeing them move to the top of their Europa League group with a 2-0 win over Cluj at Parkhead.

Goals from Odsonne Edouard in the first-half and Mohamed Elyounoussi in the second ensured the Scottish champions gained revenge for the Champions League exit they suffered at the hands of their Romanian rivals back in August.

The impressive triumph moved the Glasgow club a point ahead of their opponents and Lazio, who defeated Rennes 2-1 in Rome last night, in Group E after two matches.

READ MORE: Celtic 2-0 Cluj: Player ratings as Hoops exact revenge on Champions League conquerors

Lennon stressed that any side in the section could still finish in the top two and secure a place in the knockout rounds of the competition. However, he predicted that his charges would only get better going forward and admitted he was looking forward to the forthcoming double header with Lazio greatly.

“It was very exciting,” he said. “It’s great to be back as a manager on that stage at Celtic Park. We wanted a strong performance from the team tonight and I got more than that. I thought we were outstanding.

“My only disappointment is that we didn’t win the game by more. They are functioning as a team, there is a real solidity about us and fluidity going forward.

“We looked really strong and thoroughly deserved the win. There was some outstanding individual performances and from one to 11 I thought we were absolutely excellent against a very good side."

Lennon added: “I thought we were very good in Rennes and Rangers away was a great performance as well. So I’m getting great performances from the team. I think there is more to come. I said to the players tonight that I think we have the makings of a good side.

“It’s embryonic in the season and I’m not getting carried away. But I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted for the supporters as well to have European football back here and a good performance from the team. It was exciting and we created a lot of chances.

“I am really excited by the potential and the depth. We didn’t make a sub until late in the game and we still have (Tom) Rogic, (Olivier) Ntcham, (Nor) Bitton, (Mikey) Johnston and (Scott) Sinclair. The starting 11 tonight were outstanding.

READ MORE: Celtic 2-0 Cluj: Europa League vengeance sweet for Hoops as Edouard and Elyounoussi settle score

"It’s unfair to single anyone out really. But Scott Brown was superb. He and Callum McGregor give us a great platform. I thought Elyounoussi was outstanding from start to finish and grew into the game more and more.

“Edouard up front did some things that other players can’t do. As a unit, overall I’ve got to be really satisfied.”

Asked about Celtic’s prospects of winning their group, Lennon said: “We are top of the group and it’s a great start. It’s early, the group is still open, it’s tight. Cluj and Lazio both have three points and you can’t write Rennes off. But the performances I’ve had in the first two games have given us a lot of food for thought in a positive way.”

“Some of our players were at top form, fitness levels and speed. It augurs well. There was more flair and snap about us tonight. We created a lot of chances. Just the final ball was lacking at times. But I’m absolutely ecstatic about that performance.”

Dan Petrescu, the Chelsea great and Cluj manager, tipped Celtic to reach the Europa League knockout rounds for the second season running.

Petrescu said: “We know Celtic is a very good team as we played here before. We know it’s very difficult to win here as they’ve only lost here one time all season and that was against us.

“But I am happy with my team because they gave everything. Celtic have better players all over the pitch, but we cannot win two times at Celtic.

“For me Celtic and Lazio are the big favourites in this group. Normally they should go through but in football there are some surprises.”