CELTIC can win their Europa League group according to manager Neil Lennon, but then again, he also believes that any one of the four teams in Group E could top the section.
Rennes manager Julien Stephan stated yesterday that he felt Lazio and Celtic were the favourites to go through, but Lennon believes that the section is so tightly contested that it is too tough to call.
But he certainly believes the opportunity is there for his men to reach the last 16 if they can play to their potential.
‘I think so,” Lennon said. “I wouldn’t say you could throw a blanket over the four teams but there is pretty much nothing in it for me.
“Every team will take points off each other as it goes on.
“I think Lazio are a quality side but I think we are a quality side and so are Rennes. I know Cluj have their own qualities.
“Yes, they lost to Slavia Prague who got a great result in the San Siro the other night but in the away game against them they could easily have equalised.
“They have a different way of playing that is maybe not easy on the eye, but it is effective and they will maybe give someone a bloody nose along the way.
“Rennes are second in Ligue 1 so there quality is obvious. We’re very excited about being in the competition. We’re very excited about the quality of teams we’re going to play in the group. There’s a lot of glamour in the group for us.
“We’ve earned the right to be in the group by playing a lot of good football so far. But nothing’s guaranteed.
“We’re very well motivated for the game, but we know how difficult a test this is going to be.We’re always looking to improve our away record in Europe and this is the next test for us.”
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