The Hoops returned to Glasgow this afternoon after losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in their Group I Europa League opener at the Vicente Calderon stadium last night.

However, the Parkhead boss believes the fixture against Rangers is the perfect way for his players to bounce back - and he is looking forward to the passion and tensions that come with it.

"Going from the European game into the Old Firm game is probably the best thing that can happen," Lennon told Press Association Sport.

"Sometimes you can come back from a European game and there is a flatness going about your SPL duties but with a game of this magnitude, it can be easy to motivate the players.

"I like the edge, it keeps you on your toes. I think everyone enjoys it.

"You love Old Firm games when you win and hate them when you lose.

"I enjoy going there, I always have done. It's a great venue to play football in and there is always a decent surface.

"It isn't intimidating but there is always an edge to the atmosphere which is always good.

"I think that is what football is all about, going to away grounds like Ibrox and Tynecastle and setting out your teams to do well. It is a good challenge.

"I have been delighted with the way the team has performed at Ibrox since I took over as manager.

"I think they have played very well and were unlucky not to win the last one.

"But it's a new season, Rangers are a bit fresher with new players and we have improved the squad as well, I think.

"It's the first Old Firm derby and you can't dictate which way it is going to go, but it won't be a season-breaker one way or the other."

Lennon is hoping that skipper Scott Brown and striker Anthony Stokes will recover from their respective ankle and thigh injuries which led to them missing the trip to Spain.

The Irishman is particularly keen for Brown to return to his midfield.

"I'm hoping Brown and Stokes will join the group tomorrow for a little bit of light training," he said.

"You always miss a player like Scott, he is a good player. He has a good attitude, he is a good athlete with good running power and he is also a good team-mate who reads the game very well.

"He has shown good leadership qualities since I took over. The team played well last night but you can always do with someone of his quality in the team."