Celtic bid to conquer their Everest in toppling Spaniards against all odds

WITH its vertigo-inducing North Stand resembling an impassable cliff face, it’s little wonder that Valencia’s world-renowned Mestalla Stadium has had many a side beaten before even setting foot on the lush ravine below.

Housing a shade under 50,000 spectators, the old place is actually only the eighth biggest stadium in Spain. Few, however, can hold a candle to its capacity to intimidate the unsuspecting and inspire its local heroes.

Two goals up from the first leg in Glasgow, the word is that the home supporters are somewhat disinterested in seeing the job completed tonight. Few of the 10,000 Scots who have descended on this city will be forced to watch the game in the local bars, with flecks of green-and-white clad stowaways likely to be seen all round the ground.

None of which makes the task of Brendan Rodgers and his players any easier. Marcelino’s side may presently only sit ninth in La Liga and may have drawn a blank at home to Espanyol at the weekend, but turning this tie around for the Glasgow giants is surely akin to tackling Everest while bare-footed.

A kernel of hope is to be found in the fact that Rodgers’ side were the equal of the Spaniards for 25 minutes in the first leg before becoming the architects of their own downfall. The goals scored by Denis Cheryshev and Ruben Sobrino stemmed from errors rather than exceptional play.

If such elementary mistakes can be eliminated and Celtic’s midfield recaptures the dynamism they displayed to defeat RB Leipzig, they might at least ask a question here.

Foremost in the minds of the realists who will attend tonight, however, will be Celtic’s grim record on the road at the business end of European competitions.

Not since eliminating Barcelona in 2004 have they won a knock-out tie after the group stages. And barring something extraordinary occurring this evening, that trend will continue.

Rodgers, naturally, has to believe that, come full-time, a figurative Celtic flag can be planted on the roof of this iconic old ground. If he doesn’t, it stands to reason that his players will not.

Asked if Celtic’s best is likely to be good enough, Rodgers said: ‘It would give us an opportunity.

‘That’s our message. We are going into it feeling we can work our way into the game. Initially, we need to make sure we’re organised.

‘But what’s critical — and what we’ve suffered with over the last few years — is that we make mistakes.

‘Listen, we all recognise that we stand a much better chance at a place like this if we have all our best players available.

‘However, if we don’t, then we have to look to find a way.’

With seven straight domestic trophies under his belt, criticism of Rodgers among Celtic fans is usually done in hushed tones. For many, he simply walks on water.

Those of a more critical disposition point to challenges such as tonight’s as an area where an improvement could be made.

From the get-go, Rodgers has pledged to bend a knee to no one in Europe. Irrespective of the opposition, his side have gone on the front foot and tried to outgun opponents.

It’s admirable in one sense but you have never had to look far for the counter-argument. Celtic shipped seven goals in Barcelona. The same number in Paris. And three going on anything you like in Munich.

Needing two goals to force extra-time tonight, assuredly, there will be no change of tact. Nor, apparently, will there be any revision of policy any time soon.

‘I’ve been a manager for over ten years now,’ said Rodgers. ‘If someone is on the TV commentating who was once a target man, when he watches a team, what style do you think he’ll want to see a team play?

‘If I had a little mobile striker commentating, what style do you think he’d prefer?

‘The perception has never bothered me. ‘The reality of it is we’re going into European football while in a different level and market. ‘We have to find a way in Europe. So is it defend on the edge of our 18-yard box for 90 minutes, suffer, maybe get to a point of just losing 3-0 instead of 6-0? That’s not me.

‘But that’s not to say I go out, just open the whole pitch up and let people run through us. You have to bear in mind that some of the heavier defeats we have taken in Europe have been against teams who have done it to other teams.

‘Barcelona beat us heavily but they also did it to PSG. We’ve also had games where we just haven’t played well or we have made mistakes, like Valencia last week. What got lost was that we started the game well, but the end point is the result. I get that.’

There’s a degree of realism among the rank-and-file about what Celtic might be capable of here. Dreaming is free, of course. But outplaying a side who had complete control of the last hour in Glasgow is surely the latest of orders.

Valencia may not be competing for La Liga titles these days but only the deluded would deny their quality.

‘Listen, the measure is there,’ continued Rodgers (left). ‘This is a team up there with the third or fourth best teams in Spain. ‘If you’re like that in one of the top European leagues, you’re all right.

‘And if you’re bringing someone off the bench at nearly £40million, then that’s something else.

‘They have one or two other boys who aren’t playing.

‘So Valencia are a really good side and have shown that by drawing games in Barcelona. That tells you the level they’re at.

‘They will probably get undervalued by others but, within the footballing world, it’s well known they’re a good side.’

For all its fearsome reputation, the Mestalla holds good memories for Rodgers. As a child growing up in Northern Ireland, he watched on TV as Gerry Armstrong’s header sunk Spain here in the 1982 World Cup.

‘For Northern Ireland to beat Spain in Spain was absolutely incredible,’ said Rodgers. ‘It was a great cross by Billy Hamilton and Gerry gets his goal. He got a good move on the back of that.’

Rodgers’ last coaching engagement in Valencia was no less enjoyable.

‘I came out here in about 2007 with Stevie Clarke,’ he added. ‘Jose Mourinho had just left Chelsea the first time on the Thursday or Friday, we lost to Man United on the Sunday and came out here in midweek and probably didn’t think we were going to get the result, had probably the worst training session you’ve ever seen and won the game 2-1.

‘I was assistant to Avram Grant. It was a great experience. I’ve been out here before and watched games but that was probably the last time I was out here in a coaching capacity.

‘It’s a club with a great history here in Spain. They are still a very good side and have shown that.’