Charlie Nicholas thinks Celtic will need to maintain a strong resolve if they want to secure a result against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, with the Serie A side likely seeking revenge for their loss in the first game between the two sides.

The Sky Sports pundit said he did predict a home victory for the clash at Celtic Park but he felt the Italians were unlucky to lose, considering the number of opportunities they created. He feels the Hoops will need to be stronger defensively than they are in domestic competitions if they are to improve away from home in Europe:

“They [Celtic] are not a team that naturally sit in. Domestically, they have 70 per cent of the ball. Celtic are getting better at it and Neil Lennon is asking them to play the ball forward much quicker.”

Lazio will be angry and agitated as they should have gone two or three up at Celtic Park. The Serie A side must win here to stay in the group. Cluj will win I think so it may come down to head-to-head with these two sides. Lazio went fourth in Serie A and will get their revenge in this one.”

Nicholas has predicted a 1-0 win for Lazio, but looking at Simone Inzaghi side’s results in recent weeks, you can only see a high scoring game tonight.

Their last six results have been 2-2, 3-3, 1-2, 2-1, 4-0 and 2-1 with their only clean sheet coming against a Torino side who went down to ten men. You would, therefore, expect Celtic to get an opportunity or two. Whether that will be enough to grab a result, we shall see.