FORMER Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the Hoops are favourites in the upcoming Champions League face-off against Lazio on Wednesday.
Lennon, who previously led Celtic to consecutive victories against Lazio in the 2019 Europa League, stressed the significance of securing three points, especially after Celtic’s 2-0 loss to Feyenoord in their opening group stage match. He shared his perspectives with PLZ Soccer, highlighting the inconsistencies in Lazio’s performance compared to Celtic’s improving domestic form.
Reflecting on Celtic’s previous game against Feyenoord, Lennon noted that despite a promising start, the team faced daunting challenges, reducing to nine men, rendering a comeback in the second half nearly impossible. He emphasised that success in home games would be crucial for Celtic in their group and expressed confidence in Celtic having the upper hand in the upcoming match.
“After the first games, obviously Lazio got a great point against Atletico, who will be strong favourites for the group. But they’re not playing consistently well at the minute. Celtic, certainly domestically, are starting to find their form.
“They were a little bit unfortunate in the Feyenoord game. They started the game well and going down to nine men, it was almost an impossible task in the second half. Home form will be pivotal for Celtic in this group, and I would make Celtic slight favourites going into this one.”
If Celtic do win at home to Lazio, it will be their first win at home in the Champions League since Ajax in 2013.
Lennon’s predictions and insights add to the anticipation surrounding the match, with hopes high for Celtic to potentially break their home game jinx in the Champions League and gain momentum in the tournament.
Please stop posting comments from the guy who lost 10 in a row.
If he knew anything about football then 10 would have been secured.
I put Lennon in the same class as Beale.
When Rodgers jumped ship, it was Neil Lennon who stepped in, otherwise it could have been just 7 in a row, and it was Celtic’s crucial 50th championship which Neil rescued from Rodgers abandonment. Also, let us not re-write history. Even the legendary Jock Stein lost Celtic’s 10 in a row also. Neil Lennon started Celtic’s last 9 in a row, won 5 league championships which makes him Celtic’s third most successful manager behind Willie Maley with 16, and Jock Stein with 10 league championships, and he also managed Celtic to topping their Europa league group in 2019, which is the only time that i can remember Celtic ever topping a UEFA European group. He also managed Celtic to their great 2-1 win over a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona. He was also a player, when Celtic reached their last European final in 2003. If Beale achieved even a fraction of that for rangers mark 2, he would be considered a great success. True Celtic fans should thank God for Neil Lennon. Some fans are so ungrateful.