Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2011 17:24:22 GMT
Manager: European nights are special at Celtic Park
By: Laura Brannan on 28 Sep, 2011 15:29
NEIL Lennon and his backroom team of Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson know from their playing days what Celtic Park sounds like on a European night, and they want to feel that sense of passion and emotion again now they have progressed into management.
Gearing up for Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League clash with Udinese, the manager emphasised how important the 12th man is on a night like this.
He said: “There’s no better place on a European night than here at Celtic Park, and the players have to try and set a tempo that the crowd can respond to. If that happens it’s normally a great night.
“It lifts the players’ performances and it lifts the team as a whole. Getting that unity around the stadium is fantastic.
“A lot of them are new to this, it’s an experience they haven’t had before. We had a touch of it in the Sion game when the atmosphere was great and there was a good atmosphere again on Saturday.
“The supporters are with the players and it’s up to them to keep it that way and put on a performance to please the supporters.”
The Italian side, who currently sit joint top of Serie A, second to Juventus only on goal difference, will provide a stiff test for the Hoops. And with the Italians having opened up their UEFA Europa League campaignn with a 2-1 victory against Rennes, the manager knows Celtic can’t sit back against them.
“We’re going to be positive and we will try and take the game to Udinese who are a class side,” he continued.
“We’ve had them watched three times now and they are a brilliant counter-attacking team as well, as we’ve seen against Arsenal.
“They are one of the best sides in the Serie A at the minute and are full of danger, but with us being the home team we will try and take the game to them if we can.”
After conceding early goals in the last two European games, the manager wants to see his defence start positively tomorrow.
“There seems to be a running theme in the last few games,” he said. “In the Sion and Madrid games we’ve conceded early, but you need maximum concentration and I want us to go out there, get the crowd on our side as early as possible and set a good tempo.
“We’ve worked on a few things and hopefully we can keep the doors shut. It’s important we get plenty of the ball and work Udinese defensively as best we can as well.
“We have to be careful, and aware, but the onus is on us and patience might be a virtue in this game. We’re not going to be able to attack at every opportunity but we’ll try and attack from various aspects of the pitch and we will put out forward-thinking players.”
The general sale of single match tickets for Celtic's UEFA Europa League tie with Udinese priced at £28 for adults and £17 for concessions is now on.
The Hoops' first home game of this season’s Europa League group stages goes ahead against Udinese this Thursday, September 29 (KO: 6pm).
Supporters can still buy packages by calling 0871 226 1888*, option 1, option 2 or by visiting the Ticket Office.
By: Laura Brannan on 28 Sep, 2011 15:29
NEIL Lennon and his backroom team of Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson know from their playing days what Celtic Park sounds like on a European night, and they want to feel that sense of passion and emotion again now they have progressed into management.
Gearing up for Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League clash with Udinese, the manager emphasised how important the 12th man is on a night like this.
He said: “There’s no better place on a European night than here at Celtic Park, and the players have to try and set a tempo that the crowd can respond to. If that happens it’s normally a great night.
“It lifts the players’ performances and it lifts the team as a whole. Getting that unity around the stadium is fantastic.
“A lot of them are new to this, it’s an experience they haven’t had before. We had a touch of it in the Sion game when the atmosphere was great and there was a good atmosphere again on Saturday.
“The supporters are with the players and it’s up to them to keep it that way and put on a performance to please the supporters.”
The Italian side, who currently sit joint top of Serie A, second to Juventus only on goal difference, will provide a stiff test for the Hoops. And with the Italians having opened up their UEFA Europa League campaignn with a 2-1 victory against Rennes, the manager knows Celtic can’t sit back against them.
“We’re going to be positive and we will try and take the game to Udinese who are a class side,” he continued.
“We’ve had them watched three times now and they are a brilliant counter-attacking team as well, as we’ve seen against Arsenal.
“They are one of the best sides in the Serie A at the minute and are full of danger, but with us being the home team we will try and take the game to them if we can.”
After conceding early goals in the last two European games, the manager wants to see his defence start positively tomorrow.
“There seems to be a running theme in the last few games,” he said. “In the Sion and Madrid games we’ve conceded early, but you need maximum concentration and I want us to go out there, get the crowd on our side as early as possible and set a good tempo.
“We’ve worked on a few things and hopefully we can keep the doors shut. It’s important we get plenty of the ball and work Udinese defensively as best we can as well.
“We have to be careful, and aware, but the onus is on us and patience might be a virtue in this game. We’re not going to be able to attack at every opportunity but we’ll try and attack from various aspects of the pitch and we will put out forward-thinking players.”
The general sale of single match tickets for Celtic's UEFA Europa League tie with Udinese priced at £28 for adults and £17 for concessions is now on.
The Hoops' first home game of this season’s Europa League group stages goes ahead against Udinese this Thursday, September 29 (KO: 6pm).
Supporters can still buy packages by calling 0871 226 1888*, option 1, option 2 or by visiting the Ticket Office.