Second chances
Celtic will be looking to erase memories of their disappointing Champions League defeat to FC Braga on Wednesday, when they face the Dutch side FC Utrecht in the Europa League play off round at Celtic Park.
The game will give Neil Lennon’s side the chance to at least partially make up for their elimination to Braga, where a catastrophic 3-0 defeat in Portugal virtually eliminated the Hoops from the Champions League.
The Scottish side will play the first leg at home this time however, and will hoping that their formidable home record in Europe — which has previously seen them overcome the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan — continues against their Dutch opponents.
The Hoops go into the game in good spirits following Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the SPL which ensured that they didn’t fall behind rivals Rangers, after just one game in the race for the Scottish championship.
Despite the departure of star player Aiden McGeady to Spartak Moscow, Celtic fans have plenty to be optimistic about as the season begins to get into full swing.
Lennon has strengthened his squad with the signings of British-based players and has acquired some exciting foreign imports as well in an attempt to wrestle the title away from the clutches of Walter Smith and Rangers.
The likes of Joe Ledley and Gary Hooper have been brought into the club from Cardiff City and Scunthorpe United respectively whilst Mexican World Cup star Efrain Juarez and Israeli prospect Biram Kayal bring a continental feel to Lennon’s side.
Critics felt that so many new faces was a huge factor in the club’s capitulation in Portugal, but a dogged display at Inverness has given Celtic fans hope that their team will have the stomach for the fight at Celtic Park in this crunch play off first leg tie.
Dutch courage
As for Utrecht, they overcame Swiss minnows Luzern 4-1 over two legs in the third round qualifying leg, to set up an eye catching contest with the SPL runners up.
The Dutch side finished seventh last season in the Eredivisie, but have got off to a mixed start in their domestic league this season.
Utrecht, managed by their former player Tom Du Chatinier, who played over 200 times for them between 1977 and 1987, lost 3-1 to title contenders Feyenoord on the opening day of the season, but bounced back in their second fixture with a comfortable victory over NAC Breda.
Neil Lennon will know that his side face respectable European opposition in the shape of Utrecht and will need a positive score line to take to Holland next week for the second leg, given their susceptible and rather flimsy European away record.
More emphasis has been placed on this match following the news that the Glasgow giants recorded a 15 per cent decrease in turnover last year, whilst debt levels increased dramatically, which makes the need for some European revenue enormous for Lennon's side.
TEAM NEWS
Celtic
Neil Lennon could hand a debut to new signing Daniel Majstorovic, who he recently signed from AEK Athens.The experienced Swedish centre back could be the answer to Celtic’s problems in defence which were exposed so evidently against Braga.
It is expected that Lennon will field a similar side to the one that disposed of Inverness at the weekend, which means Marc-Antoine Fortune will lead the line with Georgios Samaras against his former club.
New signing Gary Hooper is definitely ruled out of the game after the striker sustained a calf injury in a pre season match with Blackburn Rovers and is likely to miss six weeks of football.
Possible starting XI: Zaluska; Cha Du-Ri, Majstorovic, Loovens, Hooiveld; Maloney, Brown, Ledley, McCourt; Samaras, Fortune.
FC Utrecht
The Dutch side are likely to name a similar side to the one that beat NAC Breda 3-1 at the weekend.Dutch World Cup squad member Michael Vorm will look to prove an unbeatable presence between the sticks, while the likes of Danish international Michael Silberbauer will look to add some experience in midfield.
Up front, Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored twice against Breda, and will be looking to continue that form against Celtic's potentially suspect backline.
Possible starting XI: Vorm; Schut, Cornelisse, Wuytens, Nesu; Lensky, Silberbauer, Mertens, Asare; Mulenga, Van Wolfswinkel.
Prediction
Celtic have always been strong at home and at times have an extra man with the bellowing atmosphere of Celtic Park. Expect the game to be close with the Hoops winning by the single goal, which will set up an interesting return leg in the Netherlands.
Celtic 1-0 FC Utrecht
