No reason why Celtic team can’t once more break ground in Europe

By John Reid

February 19, 2020

Celtic made history in the first-half of the club’s Europa League campaign. The Hoops’ now legendary 2-1 win over Lazio in Rome was the club’s first ever win on Italian soil.

Now, as the Hoops return to Europa League action against Copenhagen, they will be looking to break new ground in Europe once more.

Incredibly enough, Celtic haven’t won a post-Christmas knockout tie in Europe since 2004. That was when the Hoops triumphed 1-0 on aggregate against Barcelona in the old UEFA Cup, thanks to a heroic performance from David Marshall.

Lost on last six occasions

Sadly Celtic lost to Villarreal in the next round. Since then, the Scottish Champions have made the knockout stages of either the Champions League or Europa League on six occasions, and have lost in the first round.

Celtic celebrate win over Lazio / (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Most recently, a 3-0 aggregate reversal to Valencia in last season’s Europa League.

However, this season looks like the ideal opportunity to put right some wrongs. The Hoops have already done that by winning in Italy.

Now they have the chance to knockout out Copenhagen and lay to rest a record that has stood for 16 years. If you were going to trust a Celtic team to win a knockout tie in Europe, it is this one.

Team is playing with plenty of confidence

The team is playing with plenty of confidence, and has players in almost every position that can do damage to the opposition.

Ntcham celebrates against Lazio / (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Celtic have been in matches in Europe before where they are expected to progress. It happens at the start of every season when the team is trying to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

However, the team can often be caught cold then as it is the start of the season. That is not the case now. This Celtic team is on a winning streak that doesn’t look like it is going to come to an end any time soon.

If the current Celtic side plays to its strengths, they could come away with a win in Denmark, and set the team up for winning a knockout tie.