Neil Lennon insists Celtic can make an impact on Champions League ahead of Benfica clash Lennon's demeanour was notably less fretful than at the weekend, when his ire was roused by the 2-1 defeat by St Johnstone. "I was in a bit of a mood after Saturday but I don't want to dwell on that," he said. The players are feeling it now and I'm excited for them. It's just fantastic for the supporters and the club to enjoy these type of games again. Against St Johnstone we had a bad day. Three or four of them who have played at a very high level didn't do it and it was a wee bit surprising. I'm expecting that to be a one-off. Our performances in Europe have been good recently and I hope they don't show Benfica too much respect. I don't want them to be fazed by it. I just want them to play their natural game and if we do that we can be a match for anyone. This is a step-up in class, there's no doubt about that, but this is why we're here. We're at home first and getting a win would be a great start to the campaign. Kris Commons, one of the very few to escape the manager's ire in Perth, admitted that the allure of the Champions League had drawn their eye off the ball in domestic fixtures. "There has been complacency in places in the SPL and our minds have not been fully focused," said Commons. This is all new to myself and a lot of other lads. You are always worrying about being injured and about all the negative things which might stop you playing in such a huge competition. It is a distraction which we need to learn to manage because the best players just get on and do it. I think as soon as you put the Champions League kit on with the different badge and listen to the music then we will be fine. This is the biggest club competition in the world. If you can't get lifted for that then you need a kick up the arse. Commons in the inspirational form he can produce would be a major asset to Celtic. Georgios Samaras, usually allotted a specific role in European ties, is absent through injury, as are Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal, although Scott Brown will return to wear the captain's armband. "It's a little bit thin for my liking but we'll still be able to put a strong team out, although we might have to look at changing the system," said Lennon. I don't want us to be the whipping boys of the group. I don't actually think we will be. I think we might surprise a few people. And how will Lennon respond to his first taste of the Champions League group stage as a manager? In this line of work you don't have time to dwell but I'd like to take a minute to reflect and say I've come a long way in a short space of time. I am going to make the most of it," was the answer. Mulgrew has been one of the most reliable defenders at Celtic Park in recent years and offers a threat going forward and from set-pieces. However, he has been nursing an Achilles problem in recent weeks which is not ideal when you are up against one of the most potent strikers in Portuguese football. Cardoza, 29, who was linked with a £20 million move to Chelsea this summer, scored in a 1-0 win against Celtic in Lisbon when the two teams met in the 2007-08 Champions League and will again pose a threat. Brown is another Celtic player who has been playing through the pain barrier. An ongoing hip problem needs to be managed, but Celtic boss Neil Lennon is a huge admirer of the Scotland midfielder's drive and energy and will ask him to help win the midfield battle against the talented Portuguese side, which will not be easy. The skill and experience of Aimar, the veteran Argentina international, is sure to provide the home side with a stern test. Hooper has yet not reached top form this season but scored one of the goals to help Celtic beat Helsingborg in the Champions League play-offs. The former Scunthorpe striker comes alive in the box and will have to be at his best if he is to get any joy from 25-year-old Argentina international Garay, the bedrock of the Benfica defence, who signed from Real Madrid last year and who has posted warning to the Parkhead side by saying: "Do we want one point in Glasgow?