Charlie Nicholas predicts Celtic v Anderlecht
By James Black
Former Celtic striker and Sky pundit Charlie Nicholas believes Anderlecht will be too strong for Celtic tomorrow night when the sides meet in Belgium.
Nicholas thinks Celtic’s appalling away European record and how easy the have it in Scotland will see them struggle against the Belgians.
Predicting a 2-1 win for the hosts, Nicholas also thinks Brendan Rodgers inability to adjust his side will cost the Hoops in their Champions League clash.
“It’s a gigantic game and Celtic’s away record is a real concern,” Nicholas said, as quoted by Sky Sports’ website.
“They do have pace in their side to play on the break but the defence becomes exposed because it’s an unusual situation not having the majority of the ball.
“It always feels like ‘here we go with Celtic’, as soon as they go away in Europe.
“They don’t know how to adapt because they’re used to 70 per cent possession and then they won’t have nearly as much in Belgium.
“It is obviously a battle for third place as I don’t see them getting anything from the other games and if they can find a structure to suit then I think they can get a draw.
“Anderlecht sacked their manager and had to come from behind at the weekend, but they are a dangerous side at home.
“I can see it being a feisty affair with both sides desperate for a result and, without evidence of Brendan Rodgers adapting his side, I have to go for Anderlecht to snatch this.”
Celtic have famously struggled away from home in Europe since the 1980s and with trips to Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, it’s likely to be another difficult campaign on the road for the Scottish champions.
Nicholas, who is more famous now for his unintentional “I’m sitting here thinking” catchphrase, has obviously given his prediction lots of thought.
In other Celtic news, fans have raged at Gordon Strachan after this in-form attacker was omitted from the Scotland squad.
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