Rennes coach believes his side can win and pile pressure on opposite number

RENNES head coach Frederic Antonetti has urged his team to seize the opportunity of deepening Celtic’s woes on what he hopes will be a memorable Europa League night at Parkhead.

Celtic are unbeaten in five European home matches, but are 12 points behind rivals Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after a lacklustre start to the season, including last weekend’s 0-0 draw at home to Hibernian. Antonetti respects Celtic’s European pedigree, but is determined his Rennes side leave Parkhead with a first Group I victory to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

Antonetti said: “It would be a massive, massive achievement to be able to beat Celtic at home.

“Celtic is a big name on the European stage, so it’s a massive challenge. We’re not going to just turn up and watch them play. We’re going to come here and try to win the game.”

Antonetti downplayed the relevance of Celtic’s domestic troubles, which has put manager Neil Lennon’s position under pressure. He added: “The two competitions are really different. Quite often you see a team struggling in the league and doing quite well in Europe.

“I think both teams will really want to win because this is their chance to maybe qualify. It’s an important game.”

Antonetti has sympathy for Lennon’s current predicament. The Rennes coach added: “It’s a very difficult job. What’s happening today to Neil Lennon could happen to me tomorrow. We’re really, really dependent on the results. That’s the key.”

Defeat would likely end hopes of qualification for Rennes or Celtic in a group led by Udinese and also featuring Atletico Madrid, according to Antonetti. He said: “Mathematically not, but psychologically, probably, yes.”

Rennes are yet to win a match in the competition and drew 1-1 with Celtic in France, but Antonetti is bullish about his side’s chances tomorrow. He added: “We’re proving we can win games. We may be lacking a little in experience, but we’re getting there – we can win.”

Antonetti has brought 23 players to Glasgow, but defenders Onyekachi Apam and Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, forward Jires Kembo-Ekoko and goalkeeper Cheick Ndiaye are set to miss the match.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid manager Gregorio Manzano insists he doesn’t care about his job – he’s just concentrating on clinching Europa League qualification in Celtic’s group.

Atletico will face Group I leaders Udinese tonight in Spain knowing a win would put them on top of the table.

But Manzano has faced fans demonstrations after a wretched La Liga campaign, although they managed their first win in seven games at the weekend by beating Real Zaragoza.

And he insists he doesn’t care that the fans want him out. Manzano said: “I only care about the result, the victory and not about what happened off the playing field. We hope to entertain the fans against Udinese, but I’m convinced the team will have a great season.

“I’m no novice manager and I’m aware of the expectations of this club. Now we have to work harder. I believe we will come out stronger after this crisis.”