Celtic take on Lazio later on this evening in what will be a crucial fixture for the club and manager Brendan Rodgers, if we harbour any real ambitions of making the knockout stages of European football. The Bhoys have once again avoided the big guns and haven’t been put in the dreaded ‘Group of Death’ fortunately this time.
Although by no means one of the heavy hitters of European football, Maurrizio Sarri and his side will pose a significant threat for us on our home turf come 8pm tonight. Overachieveing last year by finishing 2nd in Serie A, the Roman club haven’t had the best starts to the season and linger just above the relegation spot in Italy.
That doesn’t mean by any stretch of the imagination that they should be taken lightly though, as they still carry players who could damage Celtic. Of particular concern will be Luis Alberto, who has recently signed a fresh contract with our Italian foes and will no doubt be looking to puncture our chances of qualification; enacting revenge for the home and away defeats back in 2019 at the hands of the Parkhead outfit in the process.
Remaining vigilant will be key and Rodgers has already stated that you have to be at your very best when it comes to this level. But we have a top-class individual in the dugout and as we witnessed from the weekend at Fir Park, we bring a never-say-die attitude to proceedings, whilst also maintaining great team spirit in the fight for each other.
It should be a great game this one.
Watch the Hoops train at Lennoxtown below…
Paul Gillespie
Join The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October when we celebrate the launch of Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season as Celtic manager. We’ll have the trophies that the Celtic team won that season plus well delighted welcome our special guests John Hartson and Stephen McManus, both stars of that Celtic team.
And we have other guests to be announced later this week plus there’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue. Tickets are selling fast for what is sure to be a wonderful night of Celtic conversation and music and you can order below…
