The Bhoys will be taking on the side which embarrassingly knocked Neil Lennon and co out of the Champions League at Parkhead two months ago.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has given his prediction regarding Celtic’s upcoming Europa League clash with CFR Cluj on Thursday night, stressing that the opponents are a “very clever side” and that what happened in the summer was not a “fluke” (Sky Sports News).
Back in August, Neil Lennon’s charges were knocked out of the Champions League by the Romanian champions following a horror show at Celtic Park in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie.
Celtic shipped four goals to Cluj at Parkhead to lose 4-3 on the night and exit the competition 5-4 on aggregate, Neil Lennon stating after the game that his side “threw it away” due to conceding “crazy” goals (BBC Sport).
However, fate has brought the two teams together in the Europa League after the Romanian side fell at the next Champions League round against Slavia Prague and the two sides were then drawn in the same group.
“Everyone in Glasgow is talking about revenge as Cluj put Celtic out of the Champions League,” Nicholas wrote on SSN. “They made it out to be a fluke, but you cannot lose 4-3 and say it is lucky. Cluj are a very clever side – they took on Lazio, who are one of the favourites for the Europa League, and reminded everyone of who they are with a smashing 2-1 win.
“Celtic gained a very good point at Rennes and could have come away with more. The crowd at Celtic Park gives the players another five to 10 per cent and that’s what will be the case here. It will not be a rollover, it will be tight but think Celtic will just edge it – it could be late on when the goals come.”
The Bhoys’ defeat to Cluj in August remains their only loss in 18 matches so far this season.
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