NEIL LENNON has described tonight's Champions League tie in Moscow against Spartak as the "acid test" for his young side.
Nevertheless, the Celtic manager wants his players to embrace the occasion and adopt a positive approach to the Group G match.
When asked if the wins in Helsinki and Helsingborg during qualification had confirmed that his players had broken through the mental barrier of winning big games in Europe, Lennon replied: "I hope so, but you never can tell. This is a real acid test, group stage, away from home in the Champions League. In saying that, the Helsingborgs game was a real tough one."
Lennon has almost a full squad from which to choose, though the expected absence of Adam Matthews with an ankle injury is a setback. However, the objective will remain the same: securing the club's first group stage away win in 19 attempts.
"There will be very rough moments in the game when we'll have to be really strong," Lennon warned. "Spartak will have the bulk of possession, and we will have to keep our shape and concentration. But, we're not here to defend for 90 minutes. I want us to come out and create chances and passages of play so that we can have spells in the game when we're on top."
Lennon is hoping he can celebrate the same kind of success for his underdogs as he watched Jose Maria Olazabal enjoy with Europe in the Ryder Cup. "It's one of those seminal moments in sport that just inspires you," he said. "It was one of the greatest comebacks in any sporting event. All the players watched it; it just shows what you can do if you put your mind to it and pull together."
Lennon revealed that he predicted Martin Kaymer would sink the winning putt. The German's caddie, Craig Connelly, is a friend of the Celtic manager, and the man from Clydebank was in regular contact with Lennon during the three days at Medinah.
After Kaymer was left out of the European team on the second day, Connelly revealed his man was frustrated. Lennon tried to keep his spirits up and explained: "I said to him [Craig], 'You never know, he might hole the winning putt.' I should take a commission. Craig and Stevie Woods [goalkeeping coach] are quite close. He came up to do a bit of training at Lennoxtown during his time off because he didn't want to put weight on. He's a great guy."
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