Old Firm set for toughest Euro tests
WITH international football set aside for the next few weeks, the excitement of the Europa League returns on Thursday night as both Celtic and Rangers take on arguably the most difficult opponents in their respective groups.
Celtic host Lazio while Rangers head to Portugal to play Porto.
Although Celtic have dropped some domestic points recently, Neil Lennon will take great heart and confidence from his team’s opening two games in the Europa League ahead of Lazio.
A really mature and controlled performance in Rennes to get a 1-1 draw was followed by a more swashbuckling 2-0 win against Cluj at Celtic Park.
And it is that display in particular against Cluj that will give Lennon and his players belief that they can topple Lazio.
The Italians were probably slight favourites to top the group at the outset, but Celtic know that if they can get the better of them on Thursday it puts them in pole position in the standings.
The one thing you are guaranteed on a European night under the lights at Celtic Park is an incredible atmosphere, which tends to lift the players’ level of performance on the pitch.
This will need to be the case again as Lazio have a couple of star players who Celtic will be well aware of.
The much-travelled Ciro Immobile is in fine form with nine goals in his 10 matches for club and country this season, so will be a threat.
This will be a step up in class for Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer but one I’m sure they will relish. You always want to test yourself against the best and Immobile falls into that category on current form.
British football fans will know all about Lucas Leiva from his time at Liverpool. The battle between him and Scott Brown in the middle of the pitch will be pivotal towards deciding the outcome of the game.
As for Rangers, after the disappointment of losing late to Young Boys in their second group game, Steven Gerrard will be emphasising the importance of bringing something back from Porto in terms of points. He will hope they can learn from that negative experience ahead of their trip to Portugal.
As with Celtic’s group, Porto are the big hitters, if you like, and most automatically assumed they would be the stand-out team.
That hasn’t proved to be the case so far, with each team in the group registering one win and one defeat ahead of match day three.
Gerrard will be looking for his side to have the same vigour and energy in their play as they did against Feyenoord when they won at Ibrox. I know that was a home game but there’s no reason why they can’t replicate it.
They will have to be brave in possession for starters. This will be key because if they approach the game and sit deep hoping not to lose, inevitably that will be the case.
They have to take part in the game and this is where Steven Davis and Ryan Jack are crucial.
Rangers also have to be aggressive and press in numbers high up the pitch when possible, take the game to Porto and see if they can handle the intensity. Admittedly, you can’t do that for 90 minutes but, when it’s on to press, don’t disappoint them.
Domestically, Rangers are in a good place, but this will be their toughest test this season as Gerrard looks to improve on last season’s Europa League exit at the group stages.
So it’s all set up for both sides to make a real impression within their respective group. Both are more than capable of getting positive results on Thursday night.
Let’s hope that’s the case and show that Scottish football is still alive and kicking and outsiders can sit up and take notice.