NEIL LENNON has warned his Celtic players to beware a Euro backlash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie this afternoon.
The Hoops boss only has to point to the painful Livingston experience at the start of the month to hammer home his message.
The eight-in-a-row champions were on a high following their thrilling 2-0 Europa League Group E triumph over the Romanians of Cluj at a rocking Parkhead to avenge their Champions League exit.
However, the feelgood factor was dismantled in West Lothian the following Sunday when Gary Holt’s side beat a 10-man Celtic outfit 2-0 in an afternoon to forget. Scott Robinson and Lyndon Dykes scored the goals and Ryan Christie was red-carded after 25 minutes following an uncharacteristic challenge.
That dismissal will keep him out of today’s match against Derek McInnes’ outfit.
Celtic claimed another dramatic win in the European competition on Thursday night with a rollicking 2-1 comeback success over the Italians of Lazio with Christie and Christopher Jullien seizing the goals.
Lennon, speaking to the Evening Times, said: “We have to learn from the Cluj-Livingston double-header. This is exactly the same.
“We have to get the players back down to earth. I don’t think that will be too much of a problem, but it’s a real stiff test for us at Pittodrie. There’s the travelling in between, as well.
“Livingston can be a difficult venue at any time. And Aberdeen is the same. It’s a really tough game for us to go into.
“We may have to rotate a little bit, I don’t know if there are any aches and pains. A couple came down with cramp and there’s maybe a bit of fatigue there it’s something we will have to look at.
“I don’t want to make too many changes.”
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