Lennon celebrates securing the three points at Inverness

Neil Lennon was satisfied with his Celtic team's performance as they dominated much of the Scottish Premier League opener at Inverness.

Paddy McCourt's impressive solo goal was the difference in terms of the score, but the visitors' display in the second period merited a greater margin.

"I thought, in the second half, we were fantastic," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"We looked a right good team against a motivated Inverness. Once we got a grip on the game, it was one-way traffic."

While McCourt's goal, reminiscent of his mazy run at St Mirren last season, thrilled the visiting fans at the Caledonian Stadium, Lennon's praise was more widespread.

"I thought my back four did great," said the Northern Irishman, who pitched Charlie Mulgrew, Cha Du-Ri, Glenn Loovens and Jos Hooiveld together in front of goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

"Charlie Mulgrew was fantastic today, as was Loovens.

"It was important to keep a clean sheet. Once we get a settled squad by the end of August, I'll be able to pick my best four after that.

"The fact that we are creating lots of chances and keeping the door closed at the other end is very pleasing.

"I thought the front six, second half, were exceptional."

McCourt had to be substituted soon after scoring his goal, the unfortunate victim of a neck injury when Shaun Maloney rushed to congratulate his team-mate.

You want people like him on the pitch to win you games Celtic manager Neil Lennon praises Paddy McCourt

"He should be OK. It's almost like whiplash, he should be fine," said Lennon, who described McCourt's goal as "a brilliant piece of individualism".

"Paddy can eliminate people as well as anyone I've seen in a long, long time.

"You want people like him on the pitch to win you games. In terms of his performance, he could do better, but I'm delighted with the goal."

Lennon hopes to add Sweden centre-half Daniel Majstorovic and Honduras left-back Emilio Izaguirre to his squad in the coming days and remains hopeful of enticing Craig Bellamy back to the club.

Darren O'Dea, however, could be heading to Ipswich on a loan move.

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