Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi reckons Celtic are Champions League class.
But the Italian gaffer is adamant his side can overcome Neil Lennon’s top-table starlets and dull the famous 60,000 atmosphere in Glasgow’s East End in Thursday's Europa League clash.
Inzaghi is fully prepared for fire on and off the pitch at Parkhead.
The Lazio boss believes Lennon has a squad which belongs in the major tournament and knows they can be a handful on their home soil.
Sporting Director Igli Tare is an admirer of Celtic hitman Odsonne Edouard but Inzaghi feels danger lurks throughout Lennon’s side.
He said: “Celtic has lots of great players. Just as good as he (Edouard) is up front, they have other good players who are on the wings, great players in defence where they are nice and physical.
“They even have a good keeper who has played in the Premier League.
“Celtic is definitely a Champions League team and it was just unfortunate they didn’t make it this season.
“We’ve analysed their squad and team in the past two days and there are lots of good players.
“We know Celtic are a team that runs and presses a lot, they are good technically with good team spirit, so we need to be ready.
“We know it will be tough to keep the ball as Celtic have a lot of possession at home.”
As well as the on-pitch dangers, manager Inzaghi is also aware of the power of Parkhead.
Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon is amongst those who rates the stadium as one of Europe’s best and the Lazio gaffer added: “He has talked about the atmosphere and how it is one of his favourite places to play.
“Everyone seems to know the way Celtic are here. They are formidable at home and last year they only lost in Valenica very late on and they went to semi-finals.
“But the biggest difference will be made on the pitch, it’s where we’ll try to impose our style.”
Inzaghi insists this contest will be massive in shaping Group E and he won’t be making wholesale changes.
Although domestic matters are crucial, the boss is adamant he won’t rest players with an eye on Serie A.
Inzaghi said: “It’s not a must-win game, but it’s very important as there will be just three games left in the group after this.
“The result of this game will be telling in terms of which team goes through.
“Will I make changes? No. We only think of this game. It’s a question of how much you want to play in Europe.
“There were 14,000 in Romania and there will be 60,000 here, so it’s great games for our players to be on those stages no matter which competition that it is.”
Inzaghi, meanwhile, is clear his club are doing everything to stamp out the racism that blighted recent Euro matches.
UEFA have imposed fines and partial-stadium closures after incidents in games against Sevilla and Rennes this year, but he said: “We are totally against all forms of racism and will do everything we can to stamp it out.”
