Lennon's men face stiff test

Celtic v Benfica:A CHAMPIONS League night in Glasgow will bring Celtic compensation and, perhaps, elation. The financial aspect of their encounter with Benfica is particularly significant since Rangers, demoted to the Third Division, are not around to whip up interest and income.

At the weekend Celtic were jaded once again, losing deservedly at St Johnstone, but few suppose that Neil Lennon’s side are in a state of collapse.

The true issue is the Champions League group, which also contains Barcelona and Spartak Moscow. For the first time as a manager Lennon will be tested at this level.

While an estimated income of €9.9 million should clear the overdraft, Celtic will also wish dearly to enhance their standing.

Given the Champions League proceeds, chief executive, Peter Lawwell, was almost at ease with a €2.5 million rise in debt and an annual loss of around €9.2 million.

“We could have taken the opportunity to sell one or two players in January and cut the wage bill,” Lawwell said, “but our main priority was to win the SPL and hopefully give us a pathway into the Champions League. We made a conscious decision to keep the squad together and to keep a level of investment in the wage bill.”

There was approval if not awe after a pair of efficient 2-0 wins over Sweden’s Helsingborgs in the Champions League qualifier.

Ultimately everything rests on the balance and rapport within Lennon’s squad, although he will be glad Benfica sold Javi Garcia to Manchester City last week. The Portuguese will also be without their captain, Luisao, who has been banned for two months for pushing over a referee.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew are both fit. Brown is nursing an ongoing hip problem but declared himself okay while defender Mulgrew has shrugged off an Achilles injury.

New signings Lassad Nouioui, Miku and Efe Ambrose are included in the squad, while Georgios Samaras Paddy McCourt and Filip Twardzik are injured.

Guardian Service