The Scottish Premiership side are looking to bounce back after their disappointing opening game in the Champions League.
Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko
Erik Sviatchenko has suggested the attribute that will be key to Celtic’s hopes of getting a positive result against Manchester City in the Champions League, The Scottish Sun reports.
The Hoops face the Citizens at Parkhead on Wednesday, looking to bag their first points of the group-stage after being hammered 7-0 by Barcelona on the opening day.
And the centre-back has outlined what Brendan Rodgers’ men must demonstrate in abundance if they hope to contain a Manchester City side who have beaten every team put in front of them this term.
“It’s about concentration. We need to be one step ahead of the others,” he said, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
“They play at the top level and we need to think a bit quicker. In the Nou Camp, Barcelona were doing things a bit quicker than us.
“How do we think quicker? It’s about being prepared. Against Barcelona it’s never the first or second run that was the danger. It was the third or fourth run.
“So if you see the first run, the second run, you have to be aware that the third and fourth runs are there. We have to anticipate what’s coming.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
It seems likely that Rodgers would have instructed his players that keeping things tight and the game goalless for as long as possible would have been key to their chances of causing an upset in the Nou Camp.
However, that game plan was undone inside three minutes as Lionel Messi opened the scoring. And while the Bhoys had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, Barca had already struck a major psychological blow.
But if Celtic can maintain their concentration against Pep Guardiola’s men, they may have a lot more luck frustrating the Premier League outfit, which may in turn, leave the door open for the Hoops to take advantage.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
