One final hurdle

Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C vs Celtic: Match Preview

VS


Tuesday 23rd August, 2016
Turner Stadium, Beersheba
Champions League Play-off round, 2nd leg
KO 19:45
BT Sport 2

Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic side are just 90 minutes away from making a triumphant return to the Champions League group stages. After 3 years away, all Hoops fans are desperate to once again have the chance to face up against Europe's premier clubs and following a convincing 5-2 win last Wednesday, it would take a huge collapse in Israel for it not to happen now.

Ironically, the Celtic side who flew out from Glasgow today are having to travel closer to the Middle East than Europe in order to earn their right to sit at the top table once more. The city of Beersheba sits just 26 miles from the Gaza strip in the Southern part of Israel, an area well known throughout the years as being politically unstable. Hapoel's Turner Stadium has only recently been opened and looks very similar to Tynecastle, funnily enough. It sits deep within the baron looking Negev desert so any Celtic fans travelling over are likely to feel a long way from home.


Look familiar? Be'er Sheva's Turner Stadium

As previously mentioned, the Israeli's have an almighty job on their hands in this 2nd leg. Celtic were relentless for the vast majority of the 1st leg in Glasgow and barring two severe lapses in concentration from the home side in the space of only 5 minutes, Hapoel rarely threatened. In truth, they are lucky to still only be 3 down heading into this, with Scott Sinclair missing a glorious chance on the 86th minute to truly finish the tie. Most expect Celtic to go over to Israel and see this final test out and on the evidence of the first 90 minutes between the two sides, you can understand why.

I am sure however that Brendan Rodgers will be urging caution as there is still a job to be done after all. It could very easily be a different style of game altogether over there particularly when you factor in the tight pitch and stifling humidity. It is imperative that Celtic remain calm and maintain their huge grip over this game in the opening stages, especially with the home side likely to come out all guns blazing. Luckily, it appears that this group of players has underwent a massive makeover under their new gaffer, even this early on in his tenure.

I think it would be fair to say that under Ronny Deila many Celtic fans would have still felt slightly apprehensive ahead of this type of game, even with such a strong lead. In the early days under Rodgers however, this side have already shown against Astana and in the first leg of this tie, that they do not lack the ability or character to perform on this stage. There is therefore a quiet confidence surrounding both the players and support heading into this one. The players already here prior to Rodgers' arrival not only look rejuvenated, but his new signings have also made immediate impacts with only Dorus De Vries yet to make his debut. With Scott Sinclair and James Forrest in terrific early season form, the side now also possesses a genuine threat on the counter attack with the predatory instincts of Griffiths and the sheer strength and power of Moussa Dembele complementing that threat well.


It is only half time: Rodgers and his main man Chris Davies will urge caution

Hapoel found out a lot about the threat those players pose on Wednesday as all 4 contributed massively to the win and performance on the night. Despite being built up as a very shrewd, defensively sound side prior to the match, the Israeli's looked incredibly open at numerous times throughout. The combination of the pace and directness of the Celtic play and red hot atmosphere created by the fans as usual appeared to have a big impact on a group of players who had only just knocked out Champions League regulars Olympiacos in the previous round. At times their defending was amateurish. Key centre back Miguel Vitor could return for this game to restore some stability back there though so that is one boost for the home side, who will once again be without captain and talisman Elyaniv Barda. The slackness shown at the back by them will encourage the Celtic players though, who will no doubt feel they could grab another goal or two away to finish the tie once and for all.

The Celtic side will largely stay the same with the added bonus of some key players returning to fitness once again. Nir Biton is likely to come into the midfield having put in a solid hour or so against St Johnstone on Saturday. The big Israeli will no doubt be relishing a return to his homeland and will be hoping to make a big impression in front of a hostile home crowd. Patrick Roberts has recovered from a hamstring strain but is still unlikely to start and will only be used if needed, you would imagine. With the form of James Forrest as well, this is not as big of a miss as it would have been just a matter of months ago. One significant miss could be Mikael Lustig though, who could drop out after he missed the game in Perth on Saturday due to injury.

With £20m minimum at stake here, the importance of this game in terms of Celtic's overall season cannot be underestimated. The club needs Champions League football in order to further itself both on and off the park. Many also feel that a club the size of Celtic belongs on this stage too, regardless of the quality of the domestic league it plies its trade in. There is a huge feel good factor surrounding the place at the minute and it is hard to see that not continuing past Tuesday night. It may not be as emphatic a win as Wednesday, or even a win at all, however it is hard to see Celtic not progressing here. They have done the hard work at home, now it is time to prove this side really is turning a corner and Champions League qualification and the riches which come with that, would be a fantastic start to proving their credentials.