Sky Sports pundit Davie Provan suggests Celtic have nothing to fear from teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal in the Europa League knockout stages, writing in his regular Scottish Sun column.
Neil Lennon’s Bhoys progressed to the last 32 of the competition last Thursday night after sensationally beating Lazio in their own backyard.
It was a superb performance and win, ensuring we qualify with two games to spare.
The three points also set us up nicely to win the group outright. Positive results in our last two matches against Rennes and Cluj would ensure that.
Sky commentating regular Provan thinks there are teams to be avoided after Christmas, but that the English Premier League’s 6th and 7th placed sides aren’t two.
He also believes seeding could prove absolutely key.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, he said: “Manchester United and Arsenal? If Bournemouth and Sheffield United are turning that pair over, why wouldn’t Celtic fancy their chances against them?
“Elsewhere, of clubs likely to parachute in from the Champions League, both Inter Milan and Valencia would be unwelcome but here’s the rub.
“If Celtic top their group, they’re automatically seeded allowing them to avoid the better opposition. That’s crucial because there’ll be nothing for Celts to fear in the unseeded half of the draw.”
Knockout confidence
Having just defeated the third-placed side in Serie A home and away, there’s a logic behind Provan’s comments, even if he has underrated Man United and Arsenal a little.
The duo may have had some poor results in the English top-flight this season but both remain undefeated in the Europa League to date with the same points total as Celtic.
Nonetheless, regardless of who we face, we must move ahead with confidence. This is one of our best seasons in Europe in recent memory and as we know from his first spell as manager, Lennon can inspire mega results against the best sides on the continent.
If we can enter the draw as seeds, none of our opposition will relish a trip to Glasgow. We’ve been no slouches away from home either, undefeated on our last six journeys in European competition.
Booking flights to Gdansk for the final may not be on the cards quite yet, but it’s a time to be joyous and excited about the campaign ahead.
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