Some of our writers have given their verdict on tonight’s Europa League encounter between Celtic and Roma…
Tonight’s Europa League fixture at a sold-out Celtic Park will mark Nancy’s first experience of leading Celtic on the European stage, with the Frenchman aiming to bounce back after his opening domestic defeat against Hearts on Sunday.
Supporters will get an early glimpse of how the new regime measures up against elite continental opposition, with The Celtic Star writers offering their verdicts ahead of kick-off this evening. I’ll go first shall I?
Conor Spence: Celtic 2-2 Roma
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side make the trip to Glasgow on the back of successive league defeats that have stalled their momentum in Serie A, while Celtic are also seeking a response after Wilfried Nancy’s reign began with defeat. The fixture offers little respite for the new manager, but I think Celtic will get a positive result ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup final against St Mirren. Plenty of goals, I expect tonight to be a thriller to watch.
Eddie Murray: Celtic 1-3 Roma
With the current situation regarding fan unrest, Green Brigade banned, top players out including the likes of Cameron Carter Vickers, Alistair Johnston and Jota, sadly I expect another defeat for Nancy tonight.
Conall McGinty: Celtic 0-2 Roma
Very little confidence heading into this one. Just can’t see where our goals are going to come from at the moment, especially against top opposition like Roma. With Celtic having a huge Premier Sports League Cup final at the weekend and knowing that a defeat here won’t be the end of the European adventure I’m going for 2-0 Roma.
Lubo98: Celtic 1-0 Roma
Expecting Celtic to narrowly win this one, which would put us on 10 points heading into our final two European games and would almost certainly seal a place in the top 24. Never underestimate the advantage a packed Celtic Park can have on big European occasions on dark, winter nights. The task was harder in Rotterdam and the players will take confidence from that. In many ways tonight has less pressure on the players that is usually the case for home games because not many are expecting us to win the match. That suits Celtic just fine, could be a memorable night with just the one goal coming from Benjamin Nygren.
Jessica Elliot: Celtic 0-1 Roma
Celtic remain in a period of adjustment as Wilfried Nancy continues to introduce new ideas and structural changes, while Roma, despite a few defeats on the bounce in Serie A, have already demonstrated their quality with a comfortable win at Ibrox last month. If the Italians produce a similar level at Celtic Park, their experience and depth will prove decisive.
Liam Kelly: Celtic 1-3 Roma
Roma is a superior team to us, much like Midtjylland. This Celtic team don’t have much quality in forward areas and have inconsistent midfielders in Reo Hatate and Arne Engels. Meanwhile, the defence is likely going to be operating under a new system as a back three which will leave spaces for the opposition to exploit out wide at this early stage in us deploying the new formation.
Confidence has taken a dent from Sunday and the team have only a week to try and overhaul their playing style, which is not something that is ideal to attempt to do against quality European opposition. Add in the disconnect between the fans and the club, and banning of vocal sections of the support; the atmosphere won’t be of any note to give us much of a home advantage. Therefore, I’m going with a pessimistic 3-1 defeat. Our goal being a late consolation. Would obviously like to be wrong.
David Faulds: Celtic 2-1 Roma
Celtic can make it consecutive victories in the Europa League to give Wilfried Nancy will get his first victory as the new Hoops boss. Much is being made of his 3-4-3 formation but when over the past four years when Greg Taylor drifted into his inverted full-back role to the centre of the midfield, what was the Celtic formation when that happened in every game? Yep, 3-4-3!
Roma will provide tough opposition, but I predict Celtic to edge this one. The goals coming from Maeda and Engels will have Celtic Park rocking. No need for us to rush away for post match media duties as we are currently on the naughty step.
So more pessimists than optimists, let’s hope that the glass half full mob get this one right!
Conor Spence
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