Rennes vs Celtic
Europa League Group E
5:55pm Thursday 19th September
Stade de la Route-de-Lorient
Rennes head coach Julien Stephan believes Celtic are quite near the normal of Europa League rivals Lazio as he warned his staff that getting out of their group could be harder.
Celtic kick off their group campaign in Brittany on Thursday while their Champions League conquerors, Cluj, take about the Italians.
Rennes reached the last 16 final season, finishing ahead of Jablonec and Astana and behind Dinamo Kiev and losing to Arsenal.
However, Stephan explained:”It will be completely different group from this past year, we think it’s a more powerful team. They’re used to winning titles they have won eight titles in a row.
“They are a group who are usually in the Champions League and they’ve got enormous experience with many internationals.
“We all know they could play at the air and they’re quite technical. They’re a very, very good team and possess technical players such as (Callum) McGregor, (Ryan) Christie, (James) Forrest, merely to mention a few.
“They’re nicely balanced and we understand how difficult it will be we are lucky to perform at house and the supporters are going to play a big role in a possible win for all of us.
“I do believe Celtic are among the favorites. So far as expertise they ought to be able to execute well, perhaps just behind Lazio.”
Stephan has lost half of their team which won the French Cup but Rennes sit second in the table after beating leaders Paris Saint-Germain during their five games.
“It’s a new group, a new season, there’s a new story to be informed and we need to construct a narrative with a brand new team,” he said. “We can not compare this year with last season, last year is history.
“We’re in the process of fixing and the team is slowly currently evolving. We have had a very good start in the league and we need to take it in to Europe.”
Christopher Jullien has been declared fit for the match after sustaining a head injury.
The Frenchman and Marios Ogkmpoe and demanded medical attention clashed before he was forced off.
If Neil Lennon opts to break Jullien hatem Abd Elhamed is pushing for a beginning, after picking up a thigh knock but Leigh Griffiths didn’t journey.
Rennes losing 1-3 away in the 2011-12 Europa League group stages and are winless in each of their previous meetings drawing.
Celtic are winless in their last seven away European matches against French resistance (D2 L5) since beating Nantes 3-1 from the 1966-67 European Cup last 16, en route to winning the trophy.
Adding qualifiers, Rennes have dropped just one of their last 15 home games in European contest (W8 D6), moving down 1-2 against Dynamo Kiev in last year’s Europa League group phase.
Back in Champions League and Europa League matches united, Celtic have won only three of the 45 away team stage games (W3 D11 L31), with a few of the victories coming in last season’s contest (1-0 at Rosenborg).
The James Forrest of celtic has played this season, such as in both legs of the Europa League qualifying victory against AIK.
Rennes have started well in Ligue 1. I am hoping that M’Baye Niang won’t be playing. He is lightning quick, almost a variant of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. These guys move and can play, and that is what Celtic fight against.
Celtic will be useful on the counter-attack, however their reputation is the same. They get scared when they go away from home. They do not know the best places to pitch their defence and if to perform a squeezing game or not.
They will have players that are technically gifted and speed out wide, in which they’ll look to utilize. Celtic still have injuries that are defensive and won’t endanger here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
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