Optimistic Neil Lennon points to Braga's weaknesses

BRAGA may have split their country's big two of Benfica and Porto to earn Champions League participation for the first time in their history but even a 3-0 defeat at their hands last week has not fully persuaded Celtic manager Neil Lennon of their credentials.

As he seeks to oversee a memorable comeback at Celtic Park tonight in the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie, Lennon believes his players face opponents far less formidable than the more celebrated Portuguese clubs who have been overcome in Glasgow in the recent past.

While not underplaying the size of the task facing Celtic, Lennon remains convinced that the nature of the first-leg loss provided encouragement that Braga are not as imposing as the scoreline suggested.

"Without being disrespectful, they are no Porto or Benfica who are teams we have beaten here before," said Lennon. "As far as I could see, in terms of individual talent, they are not comparable to them.

"I'm not big on stats, but we actually had more possession in the game last week than they did. At 1-0, they were quite happy to sit off us and let us play in the first two-thirds of the pitch. They are well organised, functional and have a few individuals who can hurt you.

"But there was nothing from open play that concerned us too much. The three goals were really poor from our point of view. I hope they are not a better team than they showed last week. They are in the same position as us in terms of their season starting and will probably get better. I'm just hoping we get better as well."

Encouraged by his team's attacking play in the weekend Emirates Cup tournament in London, the Celtic manager remains optimistic they can wipe out Braga's advantage. He admits, however, to twin concerns over his team's ability to keep a clean sheet and their match fitness levels for a night which will undoubtedly demand a high-octane performance.

"Of course it is a worry," added Lennon. "Regardless of how well we do going forward, we have to keep the door shut at the back, otherwise we will have to score at least five. Concentration levels at the back have to be at their maximum when we have the ball and are going forward, because Braga are very good at counter-attacking.

"We will have to take risks, but my back four will be well aware of that. If we lose an early goal, it would flatten everything. It's important we don't concede in the whole 90 minutes, really. But there's not a mad rush for us. I would like to start at a decent tempo and make them defend. Let's see what they've got.

"Attacking-wise, some of our football in the last half hour against Arsenal was fantastic. I like the pace and energy we've got in the team.

"I spoke about bringing the thunder back to Celtic Park and we are going to need it tomorrow night. We are going to have to be totally committed and just give everything we have got in the tank at the moment. I know maybe it's not enough, we'll probably have more around September time, but we just have to go out and give everything.

"It's not gung-ho, because we've got to be disciplined at times and concentrate at times. But it can be done. We scored four against Artmedia that night five years ago and could easily have got the five we needed. We lost 3-0 at Benfica four years ago and beat them 3-0 at home. So you draw on those experiences and you have to believe this tie is not over yet. It's not dead."

In pursuit of goals, Lennon may be tempted to deploy a three-man frontline with Georgios Samaras and Marc-Antoine Fortune on either side of a central striker, possibly Gary Hooper. The 2.4 million recruit from Scunthorpe United impressed his manager when he scored against Lyon in London at the weekend.

"It might be too soon for him, I don't know," mused Lennon. "Saturday was his first 90 minutes for a while but we saw enough there to know we've got a good player. I like his style. He linked up really well with Fortune, particularly in the first half. He ran out of steam a wee bit but kept going and got his goal.

"I will look to my tried and tested to start the match. They know what it's like to have played at Celtic Park and feed off the crowd. So we have to try and get the blend right. I know which way I'm going to play tomorrow night. We have to pass the ball a lot better than we did in Braga." Lennon also expressed his confidence that goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska can respond to the intense scrutiny of his recent displays by producing the kind of performance Celtic require tonight.

"Lukasz will be fine," insisted Lennon. "I know he's getting a bit of criticism at the moment, but he'll be alright. He just needs to tidy a few bits and pieces up. He did really well for me when I called on him last season."

When Celtic's flight from Portugal touched down in Glasgow in the early hours of last Thursday, Lennon took the unusual step of ordering his players to remain on board until the rest of the passengers had alighted. The contents of his post-mortem will remain private, but Lennon is adamant he will make no snap judgements of his squad, irrespective of whatever the outcome is tonight.

"It's between me and the players what was said on the plane last week," he said.

"It wasn't a rollicking or anything like that. It was just a gee-up.

"This isn't a defining game for them, not at all. The timing of the tie is difficult. The pre-season schedule has been difficult and you have to balance it.

"It's just two games into the season. I couldn't write people off after that.

"It would be totally unfair and misplaced. I've known managers to do that before and regret it later on when they have needed players who wouldn't respond because of how they were treated earlier. I won't close the door on anyone after two games."