Neil Lennon predicts Celtic’s Champions League tie against Lazio

Add as preferred source on Google

Neil Lennon says he is ‘sticking his neck out’ and backing Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic to beat Lazio in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

Celtic are sitting bottom of Group E, with one point, and looking at another exit from the Champions League and no Europe beyond Christmas.

Simply put, a win and a win only is accepted here. Regardless of what happens between Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid.

Despite Celtic’s record not being great in Europe, especially on the road, Neil Lennon is backing lightning to strike twice in Italy, as he told PLZ Soccer.

The Bhoys legend spoke about the ‘problems’ Lazio are encountering – including their shock defeat at the weekend to Italy’s bottom-of-the-table side.

Yes, Celtic didn’t cover themselves in glory by dropping points at home to Motherwell – but that door does seem to be open.

A lot of things have to click here, including trying to keep 11 men on the field because that has been a big issue this season.

Lazio v Celtic

“I would love to see it and I don’t see why not,” said Lennon. “I have to say, I wasn’t impressed with Lazio, at all.

“They were beaten again this weekend by the bottom club (Salernitana). There are problems there. They need to get the first goal, and if they can do that, then they have a chance. But they have to win it.

“I am going to stick my neck out and say they are going to win it. That’s the internal optimist. Been there and done that.”

Disappointing Champions League campaign

Unless the team can somehow pull a rabbit out of the hat and secure Europa League football for next season, it has been another disappointing Champions League campaign.

The tone was set during the opening trip away to Feyenoord – Thierry Henry and Micah Richards were in disagreement after that match.

Two sending-offs and a Joe Hart mistake. It wasn’t an ideal start.

Yes, the performances at home to Lazio and Atletico deserved more than just one point, but the team has to see past this now.

Some might point towards the transfer window and Rodgers needing to be backed more. Perhaps that is a fair point because the boat can be pushed out a little more.