Lambert warns former club that Leverkusen are good enough to go on and win the Europa League
Paul Lambert has spent the last fortnight touring Germany, taking in as many matches as possible and visiting clubs to run the rule over their training sessions.
The former Celtic midfielder sees it as perfect preparation for returning to management after stepping down at Ipswich Town six months ago.
It has also afforded him the chance to run the rule over the Hoops next Europa League opponents, Bayer Leverkusen.
Lambert, who moved to Parkhead in 1997, months after winning the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, will be at Celtic Park on Thursday.
He warns Ange Postecoglou that their hopes of progressing to the knock-out phase could be dead and buried if they fail to beat Gerardo Seoane’s side.
“This isn’t a must-win game for Celtic but,
after being beaten by Real Betis in Seville, it’s definitely a must-not-lose game,” he claimed.
“Anything is possible in a one-off tie, but Leverkusen are a very good side.
“It’s not in their nature to come to Glasgow for a draw. That’s just not the way they play.
“If Celtic lose, and Betis beat Ferencvaros in Budapest, they’d be six points behind the pair of them and battling the Hungarians to finish third and drop into the Conference League.
“Ange Postecoglou likes his team to play on the front foot. But they’ll need to watch out because Leverkusen have pace to burn in their ranks, and they’re very quick on the counter.
“Celtic’s home form has been pretty good, though, and I hope that continues. I don’t expect Postecoglou to change his style, and nor should he.
“He needs to stick to his beliefs. He’s grasped what the club is, and what it means to people, and he’s handled the situation really well.
“But this is as good a team as Celtic will face this season – good enough to reach the Final, and even win the competition.
“Honestly, Celtic will need to be right at the top of their game to keep up with them.”
Both managers are in their first season at new clubs, but it’s fair to say that Seoane has enjoyed the better start.
“He’s done really well, winning three titles in a row with Young Boys, and also lifting the Swiss Cup with them for the first time in 33 years,” said Lambert.
“He’s only 42, and moved to Leverkusen in the summer. The only setback has been a 4-3 defeat against Borussia Dortmund – and not many teams score three against my old club.
“I saw them win 4-1 away to Augsburg a few weeks ago. They played a 4-2-3-1 formation, and the front four were outstanding.
“That includes their star man, Florian Wirtz, who’s one of the best young midfielders in Europe.
“I saw him making his debut as a 16-year-old and thought: ‘I’ll need to keep an eye on him’. Now he’s 18, and playing for the German national team.
“Wirtz has a little bit of everything. He can tackle, dribble, pass and shoot, and has scored a few times when I’ve seen him.
“He’s equally effective as an attacking player, or a holding midfielder, and I have absolutely no doubt that he’s going to be a star.
“Then there’s Moussa Diaby, the winger who’s now a French
international. He’s 22, clever and lightning-quick.
“Their central striker is Patrik Schick, who scored four goals at the Euros, including two against Scotland.
“He’s a big, strong lad but excellent with the ball at his feet, so Leverkusen don’t launch high balls at him. That’s just not the way they play.
“Midfielder, Kerem Demirbay is another danger, a good technical player with a great left foot.
“Charles Aranguiz is a crafty little Chilean playmaker who can pick passes and score as well.
“And they know all about Jeremie Frimpong, who’s done well since his £11.5m move.
“But Wirtz is the one for me. He’s a player who can really hurt you.”