Neil Lennon thinks that Celtic's participation in Europe can help fill the void left by Rangers' demotion to the lower reaches of Scottish football.

Celtic kicked off the Champions League group stages with a 0-0 draw against Benfica in midweek.

Lennon hopes that glamorous European nights against Barcelona and Spartak Moscow can help make up for the lack of Old Firm derbies in the Scottish Premier League this season.

He told reporters: "At the minute, in terms of finances we will miss the four Old Firm games but it is not a huge loss from a footballing sense because obviously the European games will make up for that.

"I haven't detected much of a difference within the SPL," the Northern Irishman said. "Eventually you move on. There has been a hole there but it is up to other clubs to fill that void."

Celtic continue the defence of their SPL title with a match against Dundee this weekend.