Sparta's lack of football seems like an advantage to Celtic but don't expect Lennon to think like that

Celtic’s Europa League opponents Sparta Prague haven’t had the best build up to the fixture against the Hoops at Celtic Park on Thursday.

They have not played a league game since the third of October, as the Czech league’s fixtures have been cancelled since then.

In that time since Sparta have played just two games, their Europa League ties. They have lost both of those games, losing 4-1 to Lille and 3-0 to Milan.

Lack of game time seems to be an issue

Those heavy defeats coupled with the lack of domestic game time make it look like Sparta are undercooked. Therefore, it looks like Celtic, who have been in action constantly over the last few weeks, look to have a clear advantage going into the must-win game.

However, the Hoops boss won’t be thinking like that. After all, Celtic only have one point more than Sparta in the Europa League group stages.

There is also the fact that in the last year, Celtic have lost games at home in Europe that the team really should have won, against the likes of Cluj, Copenhagen and Ferencvaros for example.

With that in mind, Lennon won’t be fooled by Sparta’s lack of playing time. He will prepare his Celtic team as normal.

Celtic of course do have experience of what Sparta are currently going through. The Hoops had two games postponed at the start of the season after the Boli Bolingoli situation.

Hoops have been in slightly similar situation

Indeed, Celtic still have to play one of those cancelled games, against Aberdeen at Celtic Park. However, the Hoops were only out of action for two weeks. Sparta have not played any league games in a month.

Celtic opponents Sparta Prague in Europa League action / (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

If Celtic can replicate the performance against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Sparta, then the Hoops should win no matter how undercooked their opponents are.

However, up until kick-off Neil Lennon will be treating Prague with the greatest of respect. He has no option but to do that.