Prematch with A Celtic State of Mind – Europa League Away versus Rennes

Celtic travel to Brittany for our opening Europa League group game against Stade Rennais and it’s a tough opening game. Rennes is known for art and culture, and the club for its fabulous youth system. Both supports are famed for celebrating their Celtic origins and the last time the clubs met, the Roazhon Celtic Kop Ultras unveiled a banner which proudly stated: “Celtic Nations against racism”. So, no problems for the thousands of Celtic fans that are travelling this week.
 
On the pitch, Rennes are French Cup winners and are sitting second in Ligue 1. They have beaten PSG this season, but have failed to win their last two games. Celtic haven’t lost a game since our defeat to Cluj in the Champions League and have momentum domestically. This is a different level, though.
 
The Champions League is a fake competition where the branding acts like an Instagram filter removing the blemishes of its lopsidedness and boredom until the knockout stages. The Europa League at this stage is more honest. The clubs have unfiltered limitations and quirks that come with being shut out of the elite. It’s treated as an after-thought by UEFA and panders to the elite league sides as it progresses.
 
But, Celtic are playing a team from an elite league. A team that gave Arsenal the run around last season. A team that seems to have improved since then. Given these facts, then we will probably see a more pragmatic Celtic. Neil Lennon may look to sacrifice one of our wide forwards for an extra body in the middle of the park. We will try and keep our shape, keep our concentration and if we do that we will see what happens.
 
Economic factors get used as a measure of why we can’t compete in Europe, and with good reason. While Celtic have a budget that is larger than most at this level, the limitations of our domestic league hamper us. Whilst we have the resource to overcome this, we seem incapable of doing it on a consistent basis. It will take our best performance of the season for us to get anything against Rennes and, at the moment, a score draw would be a great result.

Kevin Graham

 
Celtic head to France in Europa League action to face a side we have seen as recently as pre-season: Stade Rennais.
 
The French side, much like the Hoops, go into this game with incredible form in Ligue 1 with 10 points from five games including a very credible victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Albeit, the French side go into this game having potentially lost their talisman Mbaye Niang, who is the team’s top scorer so far, but don’t rule out contributions from the likes of Raphinha and Jordan Siebatcheu.
 
Celtic look to continue their current form and Odsonne Edouard will be looking to score in his return to his homeland. Celtic appeared sharp for the first 20-30 minutes against Hamilton and Elyounoussi was at the forefront of most of the attacks, both he and Forrest will be pivotal in creating chances against what will be far tougher opponents.
 
Celtic will be delighted with a point from this game but if the defence, which has looked more solid recently, holds out and we take our chances, there is no reason why we can’t take all three points
 
Colin Watt