Rennes vs Celtic
Europa League Group E
5:55pm Thursday September
Stade de la Route-de-Lorient
Rennes head coach Julien Stephan believes as he warned his team that getting from their group would be harder than last 34, Celtic are quite near Europa League rivals Lazio’s standard.
Celtic kick their group campaign in Brittany on Thursday while their Champions League conquerors, Cluj, take the Italians.
Rennes achieved the last 16 last season, supporting Dinamo Kiev and finishing , before beating Real Betis and losing to Arsenal.
But Stephan stated:”It will be totally different group from last year, we think that it’s a more powerful group. They are utilised to winning titles they have won eight titles in a row.
“They’re a group that are usually in the Champions League and they have enormous experience with several internationals.
“We all know they could play at the atmosphere and they are very technical. They’re a very, very great team and have technical players such as (Callum) McGregor, (Ryan) Christie, (James) Forrest, simply to mention a few.
“They’re nicely balanced and we understand how hard it will be we are lucky to perform at house and the fans are going to play a major part in a possible win for all of us.
“I do believe Celtic are among the favourites. As far as expertise they should be in a position to carry out well, maybe just behind Lazio.”
Rennes sit second in the table Paris Saint-Germain throughout their five matches although stephan has lost half of the group which won the Cup earlier this season.
“it is a new group, a new season, there’s a new story to be informed and we need to build a story with a fresh team,” he said. “We can’t compare this year with last season, this past year’s history.
“We are in the process of rebuilding and the team is slowly evolving. We have had a very good beginning in the league and we will need to bring it to Europe.”
Christopher Jullien has been declared fit for the game after sustaining a head injury from Hamilton.
The Frenchman clashed with medical attention and Marios Ogkmpoe before he was forced off.
If Neil Lennon chooses to rest Jullien hatem Abd Elhamed is compelling to get a start, after picking up a marathon knock however, Leigh Griffiths did not travel.
Rennes are winless in either of their meetings drawing and losing 1-3 away from the 2011-12 Europa League group stages.
Celtic are winless in their last seven off 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 one of the last 15 home games in European competitors (W8 D6), going down 1-2 against Dynamo Kiev in last season’s Europa League group phase.
In Champions League along with also Europa League matches combined, Celtic have won just three of the 45 away group stage matches (W3 D11 L31), with one of the victories coming from last year’s competition (1-0 in Rosenborg).
Celtic’s James Forrest has scored this year, such as in both legs of their Europa League qualifying victory against AIK.
Rennes have begun well in Ligue 1. I am hoping that M’Baye Niang will not be playing. He is lightning fast, nearly a lesser variant of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. These guys move and can play, and that is what Celtic struggle against.
Celtic is going to be good about the counter-attack, but their reputation is obviously the same. They get frightened when they venture away from your home. They don’t know where to pitch their defence and if to play a game or not.
They will have players and speed out wide. Celtic nevertheless have injuries and will not threaten here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
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