Paul Lambert has told The Scottish Sun that Celtic can change perceptions about their pre-season struggles by beating Midtjylland in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The former Hoops midfielder believes Ange Postecoglou’s side can squash any thoughts of the Parkhead outfit struggling while Rangers are flying by progressing to the next round.
Rangers took a surprise win by coming from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a friendly on Sunday. Steven Gerrard’s side also held Arsenal and Brighton to draws, ahead of opening their Premiership title defence against Livingston this Saturday.
Celtic have endured a more mixed pre-season run with wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton followed by defeats. A 6-2 loss to West Ham on Saturday a particularly sore result for Postecoglou, after drawing with Midtjylland in midweek.
The Hoops had taken the lead in the first-half at home to Midtjylland in their second-round qualifier. But a mistake from Vasilis Barkas gifted the Danish side an equaliser ahead of hosting the second-leg. Which Lambert feels is vital Celtic win for a big confidence boost.
“They’ve lost a couple of games and it doesn’t help that Rangers beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Sunday, because it looks as though Celtic are struggling while Rangers are cruising,” he said.
“But beating Midtjylland would change everything for Ange. For a start, that 6-2 result would immediately be forgotten. It would give him and the youngsters and the new arrivals a huge shot of confidence.
“It wouldn’t get any easier after that because they’re almost certain to play PSV Eindhoven in the third qualifying round. But people would cut you more slack if you went out to PSV.”
Postecoglou will want Celtic boot Lambert expects from beating Midtjylland
Postecoglou will desperately want Celtic to land a big confidence boost by beating Midtjylland, like Lambert expects is possible. Going out of the Champions League in the second qualifying round after losing heavily to West Ham will hammer morale ahead of the league season.
The Hoops will have little time to recover mentally from elimination with a trip to Hearts on Saturday. And after the issues Parkhead supporters endured last season, they will be loath to see the new campaign start poorly.
Especially with Gerrard’s title-holding Rangers riding a wave of confidence ahead of hosting Livingston on Saturday after beating Real Madrid. They almost beat Arsenal, as well, had it not been for Eddie Nketiah striking a late equaliser. Giving the Gers plenty of belief.
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