Neil Lennon hands Celtic a FOUR point Champions League checklist for Lazio success as domestic downturn a red herring

Neil Lennon knows how to beat Lazio in a Celtic sense, but says the task this time around for Brendan Rodgers is fourfold.

And the Hoops must not underestimate Maurizio Sarri and Co despite their shaky domestic form that has led the fuming Italian to slaughter his players in recent weeks. Celtic left it late in Motherwell while Lazio left Milan with nothing, but Lennon who has been the course and distance in Europe with the Hoops, says shaky domestic form is no factor when it comes to the dizzying heights of the Champions League.

The Serie A side have just two wins in their last five to their name, while Celtic have won four on the bounce. A day one defeat to Feyenoord, however, puts Rodgers and his squad in need of three points if progression is on the cards and Lennon, who stunned the Stadio Olimpico in 2019 when Olivier Ntcham netted a famous late winner in the Europa League after a similar tale at Celtic Park, says there are a multitude of things for Rodgers to consider if he wants to repeat the feat.

He told BBC Scotland when asked what Celtic must do: "Manage the game. Get a foothold early, to have a belief that you can one, score. This Celtic team have got goals in them, there's a lot of belief there. I don't think Lazio are in great from domestically but you still have to respect them, they've got a very experienced coach and still some players from that era of 2019.

"Game management is pivotal particularly at this level and a lot of emphasis on believing that Joe (Hart) will have a really good game. That will give them confidence going in to the tie."