Former Celtic captain Paul Lambert has detailed the importance of picking up points on the road in the UEFA Champions League.
The ex-midfielder has plenty of experience on the European stage, having featured for the Hoops in top-level competitions between 1997-2005.
During his time spent in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, the Scotland internationalist also lifted the Champions League trophy.
So, the former Wolves and Aston Villa manager knows what it takes to get into the latter stages of the European competitions.
This season, Ange Postecgolou’s Celtic side marked their return to the world’s most prestigious club tournament, starting things off with a spirited performance in a 3-0 loss against Real Madrid.
The Bhoys UCL campaign continues this week as they prepare for their first away visit, travelling to Poland to take on Shakhtar Donetsk.
Speaking in a recent interview ahead of that match, the former Celtic captain has detailed how important picking up points on the road will be for the Hoops in the group stages.
He said [Sun Sport]: “I think you must get something away from home — that’s the key.
“When we got to the Uefa Cup final in 2003, we played well away against Celta Vigo, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Boavista.
“That is the main thing Celtic need to do — get a result away from home. If they can pick up something on Wednesday night and take care of their home games, then they have a chance.
“When Dortmund won, we beat Man United at Old Trafford in the semi-final. We only lost one game, and that was to Atletico Madrid at home. We had beaten them in Madrid and lost 2-1 to them at home.
“We beat Steaua Bucharest and drew with Widzew Lodz away. You have to do that.
“If Celtic go to Poland on Wednesday and lose, then that would be six points down already.
“I think they have to get points away from home. The home games will take care of themselves because of the fantastic atmosphere.
“Leipzig are hitting a bit of form now with Marco Rose going in there as manager Donetsk will be a danger because it is in another country and they are unknown. I always thought that would be a dangerous game.”
Two away visits in the Champions League will be key to determine Celtic’s success.
Despite our UEFA Champions League campaign officially getting underway last weekend, Wednesday’s game against Shakhtar feels like the point our group stage really kicks off.
Facing up against the European champions was always going to be an extremely tough prospect. Now, our games against the other two opponents in the group start.
In the next four fixtures, we take on both Shakhtar and RB Leipzig twice, with the next two games coming on the road in Poland and Germany.
Should we want to be successful, getting something for those games will be crucial and hopefully, Wednesday evening will be the point we get off the mark in Group F.
In other news, Celtic loanee suffers disappointing start after being sent off just 10 minutes into league fixture.
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