Lennon confident Celtic are ready for Juventus challenge

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has warned Juventus not to underestimate his Celtic side ahead of Tuesdays Champions League encounter.

The Hoops host the Italians at Celtic Park tonight in the last 16 of the Champions League and Lennon insists they can add Juventus to their list of top European teams they have disposed off having already seen off Benfica and Spartak Moscow, and later claimed a sensational victory over Barcelona.

The Serie A champions are hot favourites to progress but Lennon refuses to rule out his side becoming the first from Scotland to reach the last-eight of the continent’s premier tournament.

Lennon said: “I think we have been underestimated throughout the whole campaign and going into this game we are being made out to be massive underdogs,”

“There is a real belief that anything can happen over two games.

“We go into the tie as underdogs but nothing is going to be decided at the end of 90 minutes. It is over two games and we are prepared to play hard football over 180 minutes. He continued.

The Celtic boss has said Juventus will provide a stern test over two legs.

“They have excellent strikers – Mirko Vucinic, Fabio Quagliarella, Sebastian Giovinco – and they have also brought in Nicolas Anelka,” he said.

“The team is blessed with fantastic footballers but we knew that before the tie or before any preparations were made,” said Lennon.

“It would be dangerous to underestimate Celtic. We have proved already this season that we can be a match for anyone.”

Lennon said managing Celtic against the likes of Barcelona and Juventus were achievements he was very proud of.

“It is the only show around, a European night at Celtic Park,” said the manager.

“It will be a fantastic football arena – for me, one of the best atmospheres in world football, never mind European football – and it is for our supporters.