Matchday five in the Champions League and Celtic have it all to play for tonight against Lazio in Rome.
After the sickening 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park, the Hoops still remain rooted to the bottom of Group E. But a win tonight against the Serie A side would significantly increase their chances of getting out of the group and into the Europa League.
And to do that, Brendan Rodgers will need all of his players firing on all cylinders tonight. The Celtic manager has a number of difficult decisions to make as the suspension of Luis Palma and the injury to Daizen Maeda throws a spanner in the works.
But Lazio winger, Pedro, believes that Celtic still have a number of players that can cause his team problems and he has highlighted one that he says is ‘very difficult’ to play against.
Pedro said [The Scotsman], “Celtic have a number of very interesting players.
“Joe Hart is a very experienced goalkeeper and Callum McGregor is very difficult to play against. He is very technical and plays very well.
“We saw in the first match how difficult Celtic are to play against.”
Callum McGregor will be so important for Celtic vs Lazio
The Celtic captain is important to Celtic, full stop, but tonight it will be crucial for the 30-year-old to be on the top of his game.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Like Celtic, Lazio has designs on getting out of the group too. Sitting second on six points, the Italians need just three more points to make it to the last 16 (assuming Atletico beat Feyenoord tonight).
So they will come at Celtic, and hard. That is where Brendan Rodgers‘ side will need to stand firm and weather an early storm as, no doubt, Lazio will come out of the traps quickly looking for an early goal.
McGregor’s nous, calmness and industry in the middle of the park will help keep Celtic’s composure and his passing and vision will be crucial in the counterattack.
How Celtic can still progress to the Champions League last 16
Yes, okay, call me a dreamer but technically, TECHNICALLY, it can still be done.
If Celtic can manage to win against Lazio tonight and Atletico Madrid beats Feyenoord, the Hoops move onto four points just two behind the Dutch heading into Matchday 6.
Should Rodgers mastermind a victory against Feyenoord in the final game, and the Spaniards defeat Lazio, as long as Celtic win their last two remaining games by two goals or more, they go through to the last 16.
I know, I did say I was a dreamer but until it is mathematically impossible, anything can happen in football, right?
In other news,