Neil Lennon isn’t happy that Celtic have played on a Sunday ahead of Atletico Madrid’s visit for the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Brendan Rodgers and the players are close to facing a do-or-die situation in Europe because, with another defeat, there is a high chance that there will be no European football beyond Christmas.
That’s probably why Neil Lennon is a little annoyed at Celtic not getting an extra day rest for that game, as he highlighted how the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have done so, as well as Atletico Madrid themselves, as he told PLZ Soccer.
All three English clubs played either on Saturday afternoon or evening ahead of their European games this week, with Atletico Madrid thrashing Celta Vigo on the very same day, with Antoine Griezmann netting a hat-trick.
In the meantime, the Bhoys handed out their own beating to Hearts at Tynecastle, which was broadcast on Sky Sports – Barry Ferguson was blown away by Matt O’Riley.
This would have been scheduled in a while ago and it’s something Celtic would have agreed to, but either way, Lennon isn’t happy about the situation.
Celtic’s scheduling
“The other point I want to make is Celtic playing on a Sunday afternoon when they have got a Champions League game on a Wednesday night,” said Lennon.
“Atletico Madrid played on a Saturday evening. Why are Celtic playing on a Sunday afternoon? Now, they only have Monday and Tuesday to recover, then they are playing against Atletico Madrid.
“I know it might be for TV. But Man United played on Saturday evening. Arsenal played on Saturday evening at 5:30 pm. Man City (played at 3 pm on Saturday).
“All those teams, who are in the Champions League, all played on a Saturday. And Scottish representatives played on a Sunday, with a day less recovery. I don’t get it.”
Celtic’s Atletico Madrid test
This is going to be Celtic’s toughest test yet because the La Liga giants are a seriously well-oiled machine, who have reached the final of this competition on two occasions under their legendary coach, Diego Simeone.
You know exactly what you are going to get from them. Expect those inside Parkhead to be off their seats on more than a few occasions because Atletico aren’t a soft touch.
Perhaps that aggressive nature to their game will help Celtic and add further spice to an atmosphere in Glasgow that is already going to be near boiling point for the opposing team.
That first goal is very crucial. Concede first against this Atletico side, then it’s going to be a very, very long night, that’s for sure.
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