Neil Lennon to test Celtic against Inter

Celtic play Inter Milan on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

Neil Lennon will use the Dublin Cup game against Inter Milan in Ireland on Saturday to prepare for Celtic's forthcoming Europa League campaign.

The Hoops' boss made 11 changes to the side which beat Hibernian 2-0 in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Easter Road on Sunday for last night's friendly against Wolves at Parkhead and lost by the same score.

Jamie O'Hara's free-kick after 28 minutes gave the Barclays Premier League club the interval lead, doubled after the break with an own goal by second-half substitute Filip Twardzik, who had come on for Cha Du-ri.

Lennon will now pick a team for the match against the Italian giants - before a game against an Irish select side on Sunday - and he will do so with Europe in mind.

"We are up against really good opposition in Inter Milan in the first game," the Irishman said.

"So I am looking to put out a really strong team.

"A good chunk of players who didn't play last night will play in that game.

"We might look at a different variation in the way we line up.

"Obviously we are playing against a very good European side so it is good to experiment and see what we can do away from home in Europe in that type of game."

Before then Lennon will decide whether to offers contracts to any of his trialists who featured last night.

Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa played his second trial match following the match against Cardiff last week.

South African striker Katlego Mphela started the game and was replaced at the break by Slovakian striker Milos Lacny.

Lennon said: "We will speak to them over the next couple of days, probably before we go to Dublin."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made a successful return to his old stomping ground and afterwards he praised his Scotland defender Christophe Berra for fighting back from the disappointment of being dropped at the end of last season.

He said: "He is a good character. He had a good season last season.

"I left him out towards the end and I think his nose was out of joint because I did.

"But I was trying to find a formula to win some games, which we did, we took seven points from the last 12 so the decision was vindicated.

"He is back in the side and is having a good pre-season so he needs to stay in the side."

Source: PA