Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has challenged his players to channel the spirit of the Lisbon Lions and produce a Europa League shock against Benfica.
Thousands of Celtic supporters have descended on Lisbon over the past couple of days, with this season marking the 60th anniversary of the club’s finest hour when they beat Inter Milan to lift the European Cup.
Celtic will start as huge underdogs at the Estadio da Luz against a slick Benfica side who are among the favourites to go all the way and win the competition.
The Portuguese side got their Europa League campaign up and running with a terrific 2-0 win away against AC Milan in the San Siro last month.
Celtic, meanwhile, are already behind the eight-ball after losing their opening match 3-1 against Ferencvaros in Glasgow a few weeks ago.
But O’Neill is hopeful that the sense of history in Lisbon can inspire his players to what would be a seismic result.
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill addresses the media in Lisbon ahead of the clash with Benfica
Celtic skipper Callum McGregor trudges off as Celtic lost on matchday one to Ferencvaros
‘First of all, we’re looking forward to the game, it’s a big match for us,’ said O’Neill, who hopes to have Camilo Duran involved following the birth of his child.
‘You’re right about the history of the football club and its connection to Lisbon, so it’s terrific. It’s something I think the football club should be really proud of.
‘I think a lot of the players have seen the stadium (Estadio Nacional, venue for the 1967 European Cup Final) from before (during a pre-season trip two years ago), so I guess they’re aware of the history.
‘It’s really lovely, something to look forward to. I think that just the whole history of it should have a galvanising effect for us.
‘Listen, we are under no illusions, we know it will be difficult. Benfica are a fine side. They will be disappointed not to be in the Champions League and will be among the favourites to win this competition.
‘The point I want to make is that while the European games are hard, they are exciting at the same time.
‘It’s lovely, even now, for me to come here to Lisbon and try and win a game against Benfica. We want to have a real go.’
Asked for his own personal memories of watching Celtic’s victory over Inter Milan in 1967, O’Neill continued: ‘I can remember watching the game. Of course I do, absolutely.
‘I was at a boarding school at the time. There were around 200 boarders, stretching from 11 years of age up to 18.
‘I was around 15 at the time and we were allowed to watch the game. It was a black and white TV and we all gathered around it – and before the game started it stopped working.
‘Then one of the priests came down, gave it a thump on the back, and it started to work again. We thought he’d worked a miracle!
Celtic will be without defender Cameron Carter-Vickers for the Europa League game at Benfica
‘So we saw the whole game and Celtic were brilliant. I’ve never been to the stadium but I’d love to go. I intend to do it.
‘There may even be a possibility of going before our game. We’ll see how the day goes.’
Despite the fact that Celtic lost their opening match to Ferencvaros, O’Neill remains adamant that the European campaign should not be viewed as a write-off.
Celtic dropped down into the Europa League on the back of the collapse against LASK Linz in the Champions League qualifiers after blowing a four-goal lead.
Confident they can yet go on a run and achieve something this season, the 74-year-old continued: ‘First of all, we’re going to try and qualify for the knockout stages for a start.
‘We did that last year and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’ve got another seven games in which to try and get enough points to qualify.
‘I don’t know what would do it. Ten or eleven or something against you would qualify. So that would be the ambition for us to do it.’
Celtic will be without Cameron Carter-Vickers as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain.
But O’Neill is hopeful that Duran will be able to fly out and join the team in time for tonight’s match following the birth of his baby.
Duran has been Celtic’s best player this season. The Colombian forward was on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win over Motherwell last weekend and has netted seven goals so far this term.
‘He should come out and join us,’ added O’Neill. ‘It’ll be great to have him with us. His partner has had the baby, so it’s brilliant.
‘There is a possibility of trying to get something organised to fly him out to Lisbon this evening. But failing that he’ll travel tomorrow (Thursday).’
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo speaks to the press in Portugal
Meanwhile, Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo admits it came as a shock to lose his place to Sam Johnstone a few weeks ago.
Sinisalo was dropped for two games last month, one of which was the 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup.
Former England international Johnstone, who arrived at Celtic on a season-long loan from Wolves, struggled to convince before O’Neill swiftly reverted back to Sinisalo.
Now established as first-choice once again, Sinisalo is determined to hold on to the gloves now and showcase his best form.
Asked whether it had been a surprise to be dropped, the Finland international said: ‘I suppose it was, yeah. I’ll put it bluntly, yeah, it was a surprise, but that’s ultimately a decision that was made.
‘That’s gone now, you can’t really focus on it too much. It’s gone and now it’s down to me in terms of staying in the team.
‘Like I said, I need to perform in a manner that there isn’t a conversation. I don’t want there to be a conversation (about who is No 1), that’s the bottom line.
‘I don’t want that to happen again. It’s quite simple. I’ve waited a long time, worked hard and played a lot of games now.
‘Over the last 30 games roughly, I think I played 28 or something like that. Once you get a bit of taste of that, you don’t want to let it go.
‘It’s what you want to do. It gives you that little fire in the belly to say: “This is my time now”. It’s up to me to keep playing well and keep the position.’
