Neil Lennon wants an immediate response from Celtic after losing to Kilmarnock

Neil Lennon: Wants to see an instant response from his Celtic side

Neil Lennon has called for an 'instant reaction' from his Celtic players following their historic defeat to Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday.

Former Celt Cillian Sheridan scored two minutes before the break and midfielder Liam Kelly slammed in the second from the spot just after the hour mark to register Killie's first victory in the east end of Glasgow for a remarkable 57 years.

The Hoops' lacklustre performance was all the more puzzling given their disciplined, battling display against Barcelona in the Nou Camp in midweek where they only lost the UEFA Champions League clash 2-1 to a Jordi Alba goal in the final seconds of injury-time.

"It was as poor as we have played under my tenureship here and I will be looking for an instant reaction on Tuesday."
Neil Lennon

Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premier League but Lennon described his side's performance against Kilmarnock as "unacceptable" and is looking for a big improvement in Tuesday night's Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final game against St Johnstone.

"It was as poor as we have played under my tenureship here and I will be looking for an instant reaction on Tuesday," said the Parkhead boss.

"You think that after the while they will find their feet and work their way into the game.

"But there was nothing. There were too many touches on the ball and I think the two centre-halves of Kilmarnock had one of their easiest games of the season and that is very disappointing.

"I don't remember us working their keeper in the first half, we had good chances in the second half but not enough as far as I'm concerned.

"There were times we were passing for the sake of passing and I want better.

"I want players to push each other on but I didn't see enough of that."