Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
No let-up for Celtic as they welcome Rennes for Parkhead Euro clash
CELTIC boss Neil Lennon admits having already secured Europa League progress f eels “weird” but is demanding standards remain high against Rennes tonight.
The Hoops play their penultimate Group E fixture at Parkhead with 10 points from four games, top of the section and already in the hat for the last-32 draw.
The Celtic boss is enjoying the absence of a pressurised ‘ must-win’ scenario but is looking to extend his s i d e ’s eight-game winning run.
“Yes, it’s sort of weird,” said, Lennon, who confirmed French midfielder Olivier Ntcham will start the game.
“I’ve not really been in this position before but we are still driven.
“I don’t want them to come off it at the minute, I want them to stay on the edge and on the level they have been playing at for the last six to eight weeks.
“We go into the game with confidence but no complacency.
“Rennes are dangerous, good pace in the team and counter attack well and if they come and play with a freedom, we could be in for a difficult night.
“We have only made 10 points in a European group before and this is an opportunity to better that.
“If we can win the group it may give us a favourable draw.
“That would be another milestone for this group and it is a big incentive.”
Asked about making a move in January for Spurs midfield man Victor Wanyama, who played under Lennon in his first spell in charge at Celtic, Lennon said: “I don’t know where the speculation is coming from and that’s what it is, speculation.
“I am very well stocked in midfield and my midfield is performing superbly at the minute.”