Celtic will definitely be involved in European football after Christmas.
Barcelona’s 3-0 win away to Spartak Moscow ensures that the hoops will finish in third place at worse in Champions League Group G providing Neil Lennon’s side with a place in the Europa League.
A win or score draw tonight with Benfica will put Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Even a defeat in Lisbon will mean that Celtic are still in with a strong chance of qualifying for the knock-out phase of the Champions League with the final fixtures seeing Celtic entertain Spartak Moscow while Benfica go to the Nou Camp.
The result from Moscow was never in any doubt with Barca racing into a 3-0 lead thanks to a double from Lionel Messi following the 16th minute opener from Danni Alves.
With European football guarenteed in the new year Celtic have already out-performed their seeing which saw them placed in pot four when the Champions League draw was made.
The result from Moscow gives Celtic the possibility of two attempts at going through to the last 16 of the Champions League but Lennon is hoping that his players complete the task tonight.
The hoops boss said: “We might get two bites of the cherry but we would like to do it at the first time of asking.
“Benfica are formidable team at home and their domestic form is excellent, and they, like ourselves, go into the game on the back of a very good win.”
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Just watched the Benfica game, and for everything we did well against Barcelona, we did poorly against Benfica. We gave a reasonable side far too much credit and respect. Barcelona have qualified and will probably fed a weakened side in the last match. We may have caused our own elimination from the Champions League by showing too much respect to Benfica.
Bhoys have punched above our weight in this group, barca will play to win as they always will!! A win against spartak will put us through as benfica won’t win in the nou camp!! Worse case scenario? Chelsea in the next round of the Europa league!!