Former Rangers captain Lorenzo Amoruso has warned Lazio they'll need to bring their A game to face Celtic or "they might as well just stay in Rome".
Simone Inzaghi's side are in town tomorrow for the first match of a Europa League double-header, with the return to be played in Italy next month.
Amoruso knows all about the atmosphere at Celtic Park, having spent six years at Rangers , and he does not expect an easy game for the Biancocelesti , who came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Atalanta on Saturday.
The former defender told LaLazioSiamoNoi : “Lazio are superior, but theirs (Celtic’s) is a team that can create problems, especially if they take advantage of the Biancocelesti ’s limitations this year.
“There have been several situations in which Lazio have been limited, just look at the first half against Atalanta.
“The real problem is that Lazio lack focus, which is a mental problem that you’ll pay for against physical teams like Celtic .
“Technically, Lazio are better, but they can’t get into the mindset of thinking they have an easy task.
“Celtic Park has a special atmosphere, it’ll take a lot of European character and mentality. If the motivation drops then they might as well just stay in Rome.
"Over the years the Scottish league has changed for the worse. Investors and presidents of a certain stature have disappeared, so the big players look elsewhere and the clubs rely more on young players.
"In terms of desire though the Scots are some of the best in all of Europe.
“You need to understand that when you face these teams it’s not enough to be technically better, if you don’t match their physical preparedness you can suffer for it in the long run.
“Technique can often be overwhelmed by the running and intensity that they can impose on you. Against the Scots it’s not enough just to have quality.”
Lazio have had an indifferent start to the season, and sit seventh in the table after just three wins in their opening eight matches.
“The Lazio I see is not as ferocious as the one I’ve admired in the past. Last year they dominated the game, they deserved good results and went between the two phases of the game better.
“Right now I see a step back in terms of mentality, summed up by silly mistakes. This year there have been a host of tactical mistakes, which you wouldn’t expect from a team as well established as Lazio. I’d expect that from a Roma, or from a Fiorentina.
“Luis Alberto and (Sergej) Milinkovic-Savic can’t be worse than last year. If that’s their attitude then obviously they aren’t ready for a big club, clubs like that don’t need mediocrity or ‘just enough’.
“It’s not difficult to get to a big club, the difficulty comes in staying there and making your mark.”
