Celtic v Ferencvaros: Neil Lennon out to learn from past European exits

Cluj and Copenhagen memories can spur Parkhead side to Champions League qualification

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 21: Manager Neil Lennon during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown on August 21, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

A supporterless Celtic Park can create a spooky ambience. Neil Lennon has to hope that on Wednesday night his team won’t be haunted by the ghosts of recent European failures past.

The degree of difficulty Ferencvaros will pose Lennon’s Celtic in Wednesday’s Champions League second qualifying round knock-out tie has been equated to a Cluj or Copenhagen. Two awkward opponents – in different ways – who found ways to scramble wins at Parkhead that put paid to the Scottish champions’ continental interests.

The circumstances of the 4-3 loss to Dan Petrescu in last August’s Champions League qualifier and the 2-1 defeat by the Danes that put paid to hope of a Europa League last 16 place in February were entirely contrasting. However, on both occasions Celtic succumbed to sides that had a bit about them, and weren’t fazed by facing a more formidable opponent in their own environs. These reverses proved curveballs in Celtic’s cross-border sorties last season, with their vanquishing of Lazio home and away in the Europa League paving the way for the club’s first top placing in a group.

Ferencvaros last week efficiently accounted for Swedish champions Djurgardens in the first qualifying round courtesy of a double from main dangerman Tokmac Nguen, a left-sided attacker. The home success followed on from last season’s impressive Europa League group campaign from the back-to-back Hungarian champions in which they did not lose across six games on the road. The Budapest side, under the stewardship of fabled Ukranian international and former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham striker Serhiy Rebrov, secured notable draws away to Espanyol and CSKA Moscow.

“You learn from all experiences, good or bad, and it was disappointing to go out to Cluj but they turned out to be a decent team and that can happen in these qualifiers,” said Lennon of Celtic’s unexpected home eliminations last season. “If we were to negotiate Ferencvaros then there’s no guarantee we’d qualify with the quality of teams we could face later on in the competition. But in terms of the Cluj game that might act as extra motivation to the players, no question. Nobody is saying it will be straightforward.

“Sometimes in games it’s all on the night. Our preparation has to be important and getting the mentality of the team right. In both those games we let ourselves down defensively in important moments.

“If we want to learn from the Cluj game, one thing we didn’t do was come out of the traps at all. We were quite passive in the first half so we’ll look to make a big improvement on that and to start the game as strongly as we can.

“And certainly against Copenhagen, we weren’t as ruthless as previously. I think the game will be tight. We’ll have plenty of the ball but it’s about how we breach them.

“They’re packed with athletic-type players, solid, no fuss, well drilled so they’ll be a tough nut to crack. So maybe it’ll be a game of patience and not thinking we’re just going to go out and blitz this team.”

The fact the game will be behind closed doors might actually assist in the requirement to remain measured and controlled. These facets went out the window amidst the frenzy whipped up by a Celtic Park crowd that couldn’t believe what they were witnessing in the latter stages against Cluj and Copenhagen. Lennon would always prefer a crackling atmosphere, even one thick with expectancy and demand.

“You might be more in control of your emotions but having a full house is a massive advantage to us. It’s a big miss for us not having a capacity crowd there. There’s no question about that.”

Lennon will renew a couple of acquaintances in midweek. He played against Rebrov both at club and international level and bigs up the striker partnership he enjoyed with Andriy Shevchenko. More pertinently, in goal for the Hungarians will be former Hibernian and Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan.

“He’s a player I’ve worked with a couple of times and I’ve got a lot of time for him,” said Lennon.