With nine points in the massive 36-team table, Brendan Rodgers’ team is aware that a win against Swiss underdogs Young Boys will guarantee them a spot in the knockout playoffs in February.
Celtic has an 84.9% chance of avoiding defeat, according to Opta simulations, which also give the Bhoys a 67% chance of winning all three points. They are therefore optimistic about the Scottish champions’ prospects of placing among the top 24teams required to qualify.
According to their 10,000 simulations of the remaining league phase, Celtic finish 19th most of the time.
Nothing is earned on paper, though, as Brendan Rodgers is quick to point out. Despite Celtic’s terrible start to the tournament—they haven’t won a single point—they will need to put in a lot of effort to have opportunities against Young Boys.
Given that YB is there to steal, Celtic would want to avoid a draw, but by the end of matchday eight, ten points might be sufficient to place in the top 24.
As the fixture develops, that is something to consider. Tony Haggerty and Hamish Carton returned to Tuesday’s Morning Briefing to discuss the most recent build-up and offer their predictions for the outcome of the game.
Rangers will face ‘worst Manchester United squad ever’ without crucial Europa League player
According to Ruben Amorim, Rangers will face the ‘worst Manchester United squad in history’ in the Europa League at Old Trafford.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager took over Manchester United in early November but has only won two of the club’s 10 Premier League games.
Speaking after the Red Devils were trounced 3-1 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, Amorim described his squad as the ‘worst ever’ in the club’s 147-year existence.
The remarks came before of Rangers’ Europa League match at Old Trafford on Thursday, a highly anticipated Battle of Britain fixture.
Rangers to face ‘worst Manchester United squad ever’
“We won two out of ten Premier League games,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
“Imagine what this means to a Manchester United supporter. Imagine what this means for me. So we’re getting a new coach who is losing more than the last one. I am fully aware of this.
“As I have stated, I will not alter under any circumstances. I am confident that we will triumph, but first we must endure this time. Because I am not naive, and I understand that we must survive today.
“We may be the worst Manchester United team ever. I understand you want headlines, but I’m saying this because we have to.
”Here you go, your headlines.”
The comments come with Manchester United 13th in the Premier League, winning only five of 12 league matches at Old Trafford this season.
Ruben Amorim was asked if it will take time for his team to get used to his tactics, with the manager insisting he will not be changing his style for the visit of Rangers this week.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss has warned that both the players and fans are ‘going to suffer’ until results begin to turn and players embrace his controversial 3-4-3 system.
“That is clear,” said Amorim. “With me, that is clear. Because I’m not going to change the way I see the game. I’m very clear on that.
“The players will suffer, and I’m sorry, so will the supporters. I have one method of doing things, and I know it will produce results.
“But we must endure these hardships. I believe everyone understands exactly what we want to do.
Rangers will be missing crucial player at Old Trafford.
Rangers and Philippe Clement will be hoping to pull off an upset against Manchester United in the Europa League this week.
However, Rangers will have to overcome the Premier League side without key midfielder Mohamed Diomande.
The 23-year-old Ivorian midfielder is suspended for the match after receiving his third yellow card of the group stage in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Diomande has started all but one of Rangers’ six Europa League games this season, coming off the bench at halftime in a 4-0 victory against FCSB at Ibrox.
Rangers are also depending on Jack Butland’s health, as he hopes to return to Manchester United for the game after spent the 22/23 season on loan at Old Trafford.
The Gers have also been missing John Souttar, Dujon Sterling, and Tom Lawrence in recent weeks, with Oscar Cortes and Danilo suffering new ailments.
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