Neil Lennon: Only three pojnts on Thursday will be enough to send Celtic into the knockout stage
With Celtic set to face Udinese on Thursday in the knowledge that nothing less than a win will do, Neil Lennon will favour an 'adventurous' approach.
The Hoops will head to Italy in midweek with their Europa League dreams hanging by a thread.
Only three points will be enough to send them through to the knockout stages alongside Atletico Madrid from Group I, and send Udinese tumbling out of the competition.
The joint leaders in Serie A boast a three-point cushion on Celtic going into the game, but victory for the SPL outfit will take them through on head-to-head record.
Lennon believes his side can pick up the required result and is in determined mood ahead of the all-important clash.
Pressure
He told Celtic's official website: "We do have to win it. A draw or a defeat is no good to us.
"We have to be very respectful of the opposition who, as we speak, are top of Serie A so they are obviously an excellent side.
"I think we can set up to be a little bit more adventurous with our own approach.
"The pressure is off and the players can go and hopefully express themselves and do the club justice."
Celtic are in a rich vein of form domestically, winning their last six games in the SPL and scoring 13 goals in the process.
They will, however, come up against a side on Thursday that will be marshalled at the back by highly-rated shot-stopper Samir Handanovic and led from the front by talismanic skipper Antonio Di Natale.
Skilful
Lennon added: "They are very strong in midfield. They have great strength, athleticism and quality - and counter-attack very quickly.
"Added to that they have a brilliant goalkeeper, I think he is one of the best in the world.
"I remember him from the last World Cup for Slovenia, he was fantastic and he pulled off three or four unbelievable saves here in the home game.
"He gives a great foundation for them to build on. And with people like Di Natale in the team, there's always a goal threat at the other end.
"They are very well-organised but skilful into the bargain."
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