DERK BOERRIGTER is expected to start his first Champions League game for Celtic against AC Milan this evening, a match his manager Neil Lennon has described as "win or bust" for his team's chances of reaching the last 16 of the competition.
The Dutchman has made only three substitute appearances in Europe this season after struggling with injury following his £3m summer transfer from Ajax but came off the bench to score in Celtic's 3-1 win over Aberdeen on Saturday. Lennon revealed he wants his players to play with more "zest" than they showed in the 1-0 defeat away to Ajax in their previous Champions League match and believes the 27-year-old Boerrigter offers "a different dimension going forward".
Celtic need to win if they are to have any chance of reaching the knock-out phase of the competition for the second successive season, and Lennon is set to respond to that by naming an attack-minded team. "I'm going to try to go with a bit of pace if I can," he said. "Boerrigter is fit, so he will have a good chance of starting. Hopefully, he will give us a different dimension going forward.
"Some of the players who come in can find it hard to adapt to British football straight away. I think European football suits Derk better. It's a little bit more technical and a little bit more tactical. He is used to that type of football, playing on the continent.
"I wouldn't say it's easier, but some players seem more comfortable in that environment than in the SPFL. Milan might not know much about Derk, although they may know of him from his Ajax days. But if he can be on song, he can be a threat for us. There's no question about that.
"The goal on Saturday will have done his confidence the world of good. It's been frustrating for him because he hasn't had any concerted game time at all. We are hoping he now stays injury free for a while."
Lennon revealed he is also considering starting Georgios Samaras at centre-forward, although Anthony Stokes - he missed the Aberdeen game due for personal reasons - is also in contention. "I am toying with playing Samaras through the middle," he added. "I haven't decided yet. We will make our conclusions on the team later. Stokes trained today, so he's back in the squad."
Celtic have accrued just three points from their opening four group matches, and scored just two goals in that period. Lennon, though, remains optimistic his players can achieve the result they need. "We have nothing to lose and everything to gain which is a great position to be in," he said. "Our cause for optimism comes from the fact that at home we're very good. We played very well against Barcelona and beat Ajax. That gives me a lot of encouragement.
"The fact it's win or bust for us, may give the players that little bit extra oomph going into the game. A win would flip the whole thing around. It could put us in second place if Ajax don't win against Barcelona. Winning will give us an opportunity of Champions League football and a realistic chance of the Europa League. That would be respectable coming out of a group like this."
Lennon was not among those who believe Milan arrive in something of a crisis. "They have got a calibre of player and they like these nights. They like the Champions League and have got the pedigree; they've got a backroom staff who have got four or five Champions League medals. The whole structure of the club is geared towards the Champions League. It might not be a vintage team but it's still an excellent side."
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