THIS match may mean little for Celtic in the grand scheme of things but you can be sure it is going on Ronny Deila’s rap sheet one way or another. Qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League is already beyond the Parkhead club ahead of tonight’s final group game against Fenerbahce here in Istanbul but if Deila is still being weighed up ahead of next summer’s Champions League qualifiers then a decent performance – and ideally a positive result – can only go in his favour. Another defeat, however, and questions over the Norwegian’s suitability to lead another European campaign will surely crop up once more.
This is a typical catchweight contest; a motivated Fenerbahce side who need a point to reach the knockout phase against a Celtic side with really nothing to play for. Deila, though, has brought along a strong squad – including a fit-again Kris Commons – and has ruled out the prospect of fielding a youthful or experimental side. He desperately wants a victory to shed the tag of being the first Celtic team to go through a group phase without winning a game. Deila’s European record has not been great and he would love to end this campaign on a high. Against a dangerous Fenerbahce side, however, it looks a big ask.
Celtic remain without the injured pair of Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew and probably cannot wait for this European campaign to come to an end. As a club their away record in Europe is not great and it would register as something of a shock if they were to deliver a win at a notoriously hostile venue.
A team that cannot keep clean sheets is unlikely to change that record here and it looks as if another loss awaits Celtic in Istanbul tonight.
Prediction
Fenerbahce 3 Celtic 1
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