Ange makes it clear what to expect from Ferencvaros vs Celtic on Thursday night

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Ange Postecoglou doesn’t want anyone to write Ferencvaros off ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Celtic in the UEFA Europa League.

Celtic produced an assured performance against the Hungarians at Celtic Park in the recent meeting between the two sides, winning 2-0. Ferencvaros never really looked like getting a result.

For many, that makes the Bhoys favourites for the upcoming encounter in Hungary. Celtic travel later this week in an attempt to secure European football after Christmas.

Postecoglou is wary, however, telling The Sunday Post [31/10 print edition, Post Match supplement page 2]: “I said from Day One that defending isn’t just about defenders. It’s about us as a team, and also how we attack as a team. We’re looking to improve that area all the time.

“It’s going to be a challenging game on Thursday night because they’re a good side. People seemed to write them off after we played them here. But I thought people were downplaying their abilities as a team.

“If you watch them against Bayer Leverkusen, they took the game to them. At home, they’ll provide a big test for us.

“We have to play our football. We had an up-and-down start to the Europa League, but we got a good result at home to Ferencvaros, which was important to keep our hopes alive. We need another good one on Thursday to continue that.”

Ferencvaros have secured two wins and a draw since visiting Glasgow. One victory was an enormous 7-0 scoreline, with their latest three points coming away to Gyirmot yesterday.

They’ll be up for attacking the Bhoys this week, in stark contrast to their tentative approach last time. They badly need a win to have any hope of making the UEFA Europa Conference League knockouts as the third-placed team, where Celtic currently sit.

Clearly Postecoglou is expecting a more open game, but he’s also signalled he won’t change the approach of Celtic. We’re going to Hungary to “play our football” and attempt to put the home side on the back foot from minute one.

In other news, Ange provides “important” update on Celtic midfielder James McCarthy.