Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini might be slightly more optimistic about Celtic’s chances of making it to the Europa League last-32 qualifications than most Celtic fans.
The Bhoys had a surreal match day opener against Pellegrini’s team in Spain back in September. Celtic went two-nil up inside the first half-hour which had Celtic fans in as much shock as the home crowd. But that big voice thunders in your ear about Celtic teams away in Europe and low and behold you find your team 3-2 down.
Betis and Leverkusen are set up for a doubleheader in the group and this is good news for Celtic as one of the teams are set up to drop points. But Pellegrini thinks Celtic could still hit the top spot in the group and should not be discounted so easily when speaking with the Spanish Press.
“We will have to play a very good game to score the three points. It is not a decisive game. Celtic can still get on top (of the group). I hope we add the three points and that is what we are going to try to do from the first minute.”
The Chilean continued…
“Although it is an important game, it will not be decisive. You have to consider Celtic. Find a way to win tomorrow now, and we will see later how the group is solved.”
You’ve got to think of the mauling Leverkusan just gave the Hoops at Celtic Park to keep some perspective with these nice but deflective comments.
While Celtic are more than capable of beating Betis at Paradise, the return legs in Hungry and Germany against Ferencváros and Leverkusen will be a huge ask to take points from. Celtic finishing second in this group would be a huge achievement given the outcome of the first two games.
