Celtic bank on home comfort against Juventus

GLASGOW (AFP) –

Celtic manager Neil Lennon gives a press conference, on February 11, 2013, ahead of the UEFA Champions League last 16 clash with Juventus. Lennon hopes his side can continue their unbeaten home record in Europe.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon hopes his side can continue their unbeaten home record in Europe this season when they take on Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at Parkhead on Tuesday.

The Glasgow giants have seen off HJK Helsinki, Helsingborgs, Benfica, Spartak Moscow and the mighty Barcelona at Celtic Park this season in their best European run since 2008.

Lennon knows they face a mammoth task if they are to get past the Italian league leaders and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time.

But he hopes his side can take inspiration from their support and fine home form to build up a decent advantage to take to Turin in three weeks’ time.

Celtic train on February 11, 2013, ahead of their UEFA Champions League last-16 match home to Juventus. The Glasgow giants have seen off HJK Helsinki, Helsingborgs, Benfica, Spartak Moscow and the mighty Barcelona at Celtic Park this season in their best European run since 2008.

“Everyone is excited about this, particularly the supporters because they have been waiting a few years,” the Celtic manager said.

“The crowd spurs our players on and can intimidate other teams. Parkhead is a fortress again and that’s what I wanted.”

Lennon has already been part of a Celtic team that stunned Juventus, playing in a 4-3 win over Marcello Lippi’s side in 2001.

But the Hoops boss, who watched Juventus take on Genoa a couple of weeks ago, reckons the current crop of Serie A stars are even better.

“Lippi’s team had more flair with Trezeguet, del Piero, Nedved and Davids. This team is more workmanlike, without being disrespectful to them,” Lennon said.

“But in the final third they are clinical and they are probably also better defensively than Barcelona. They are strong, organised and very difficult to break down.

“They have three strong players in midfield and up front Mirko Vucinic is a great player who takes everything into feet.

“He links very well with Seb Giovinco. Giovinco also likes to drop a little deeper and do damage there. Juventus are very pragmatic but clinical in the final third. We believe we can get at them though.”

Juventus coach Antonio Conte gives a press conference, on February 11, 2013, ahead of his team’s UEFA Champions League last 16 clash at Celtic. Juventus beat Fiorentina 2-0 in Serie A on Saturday to stay five points clear of Napoli in Italy.

The Celtic boss will have almost a full squad to pick from after he revealed James Forrest and Emilio Izaguirre will be fit while Georgios Samaras will be given every chance.

Keeper Fraser Forster returned after a three match absence in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle but defender Efe Ambrose is likely to have to make do with a place on the bench after the Nigerian took part in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final in South Africa.

Many of Lennon’s players have come in for plaudits with their European performances this season but the manager singled out Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper and Charlie Mulgrew as big players for him in the match.

“At any set-piece, with the quality of delivery and height we have, we can be a threat to anyone,” Lennon said.

“Charlie is very important. People wonder why I play him in all the games. It’s not just for his delivery, Charlie can play. He is brave on the ball and has a goal in him. Victor brings strength, power and reads the game very well.

“He is a threat from set-pieces and rises to the occasion as he showed against Barca. Hooper is a goalscorer and quality player.”

Juventus, who beat Fiorentina 2-0 in Serie A on Saturday to stay five points clear of Napoli, saw Paolo De Ceglie limp off with a muscle strain that will rule him out of the Celtic match.

Vucinic also picked up a knock to his knee in that game, but is in the squad travelling to Glasgow along with Kwadwo Asamoah who returns from international duty with Ghana.

Nicolas Anelka is also included, though the January signing is yet to make his Juventus debut.