John Ruddy has stated that the Wolves players want to face Celtic or Rangers in the last-16 of this season’s Europa League.
All three clubs are getting set to take on tough opponents in the last-32. Celtic travel to Copenhagen for a 17:55 kick-off time, whilst Rangers host Braga later on that night in their own first leg. Wolves, meanwhile, will face Espanyol in the last-32 and look like considerable favourites to progress.
It’s fair to say that both Celtic and Wolves are the most likely to power into the next round looking at the ties. However, Neil Lennon won’t be taking anything for granted given that Copenhagen only lost one of their six group stage matches.
Ruddy, of course, is currently Wolves’ back-up goalkeeper, with Rui Patricio ahead of him in the pecking order. But he’s told the Glasgow Times that the Premier League club would relish the chance to visit Celtic Park if we came out the hat with them.
“All the boys here spoke before the last draw about how special it would be to get Rangers or Celtic. I think that would be a mutual feeling for all the fans concerned.
“Ibrox and Celtic Park have special atmospheres at every home game but to experience it on a European night against another British club would be very special.
“Fingers crossed we all make it through and the next draw throws one of these ties up.”
Plenty of tough-looking options in the last-16
Wolves would likely be one of a number of extremely tough-looking last-16 ties should we manage to get past Copenhagen.
The likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Red Bull Salzburg, Ajax, and Roma are all potential destinations if these clubs progress as you would expect them to.
Of course, you can’t help but dream of a potential Battle of Britain scenario. There are still four other British teams still remaining in the competition. Rangers, Wolves, Man Utd, and Arsenal are all potential last-16 foes should we get through, and any of those draws would capture the imagination.
However, it shows the attraction of Parkhead in particular that Wolves’ dressing room is hoping for a chance to come up and play against us.
Lennon won’t care one bit of course. We still have a job to do against Copenhagen, and looking too far ahead is always a recipe for disaster.
Celtic last faced an English side in Europe back in 2016 when we were drawn with Manchester City in the Champions League group stages. Similar hype levels would occur this time around should we get past our Danish foes and secure a last-16 place.
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