Tom buoyed by European Xmas cheer

CELTIC are all but certain to ensure their place in the Europa League knock-out stage even if they are torn apart in Paris.

Unless Anderlecht,with no points and no goals after four group games, get something at home against a Bayern Munich team gunning to top the table, the Belgians would have to win by four clear goals at Celtic Park in the last match to finish third.

Third place is far from a consolation and, indeed, Brendan Rodgers’ men have a chance of a decent Europa League run.

Tom Boyd, the former captain, never played in Europe after Christmas in his 11 years at the club. He was in the squad during the 2003 run to Seville but didn’t get his boots on. So he realises what this achievement would mean to Celtic.

“For Celtic to be in Europe after Christmas would be phenomenal,” said Boyd.

“It does look likely as long as Anderlecht don’t take anything against Bayern and even then, on the evidence of what we’ve seen and from our game in Belgium, I don’t think they have improved drastically in terms of them having to beat us 4-0.

“The players will have a lot of games but that’s what where you wan: big games week in, week out.

“Europe after Christmas is progress for Celtic. Of course it is. We didn’t manage that last year and when you consider the group we are in, third place was probably always the realistic aim. PSG and Bayern are, right now, way above what we can do on the park.

“It’s another level, it’s progress and one more tick for Brendan.”

Celtic made the UEFA Cup, as it was called, final in 2003 and the quarter-final in 2004 and Boyd feels they can at least match these feats.

“Celtic can be competitive in the Europa League as long as they keep learning,” said Boyd. “We will not come up against a PSG. I don’t think we will come up against a team you would fear.

“There will be good-quality sides in the competition but coming to Celtic Park is not easy. What Celtic have to do is not give away cheap goals, and that has happened down the years, but if Celtic can be a bit more solid at the back then we have a chance.”

Boyd claimed the PSG team which thrashed Celtic 5-0 was the best team he ever saw play at Parkhead; even better than the PSG he faced in 1995 which played him and his pals off the park in a 3-0 win.

“PSG, and I think most people would say this, are probably the best team that have come to Celtic Park,” said Boyd.

“They gave us a football lesson. They showed how football should be played. But I do believe Celtic have learned and improved.

“They played far better against Bayern and we should have taken something.