Odsonne Edouard and Fraser Forster could be the difference between a win and a loss as Celtic host Serie A giants Lazio in the Europa League tonight.
Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi has called Celtic a team worthy of the Champions League as they prepare to go head-to-head in Europe’s second tier club competition tonight, while praising the qualities of Fraser Forster and Odsonne Edouard in quotes reported by the Daily Record.
Celtic vs Lazio at a sold out Parkhead. Thursday night’s Europa League clash in Glasgow has the feel of a real continental classic with two teams boasting a rich history and a huge fanbase set to do battle in the group stages.
Lazio might be the favourites, despite the fact that Neil Lennon’s hosts are top of the table as things stand, but Inzaghi is fully aware of the talent at Celtic’s disposal.
In Forster, The Hoops have a goalkeeper with six England caps to his name and a series of virtuoso European displays on his CV, including that famous 2012 triumph against Barcelona. French striker Edouard, meanwhile, is Celtic’s difference maker at the other end of the pitch with 10 goals in 18 games to his name this season already.
“Celtic has lots of great players. Just as good as he (Edouard) is up front, they have other good players who are on the wings, great players in defence where they are nice and physical. They even have a good keeper who has played in the Premier League,” said Inzaghi.
“Celtic is definitely a Champions League team and it was just unfortunate they didn’t make it this season."
The Hoops will need Edouard to be at his ruthless best if they are to seal a commendable victory against the Serie A giants while Forster must roll back the years too if he is to keep the likes of Ciro Immobile off the scoresheet.
But after outclassing Cluj and grabbing a deserved draw at Rennes, a much-improved Celtic side should be confident of at least matching Lazio in front of their own supporters.
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