Celtic must learn lesson before facing tougher tests

Ange Postecoglou hopes to see Celtic put in a bold performance in Germany. (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire) — Ange Postecoglou hopes to run across Celtic put in a bold operation in Frg. (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is determined his team must have a bold approach in Thursday's crucial Europa League match abroad to Bayer Leverkusen.

Depending what happens in the other Group K lucifer betwixt Real Betis and Ferencvaros, the Hoops are likely to require a win in Germany to go on their hopes live of qualifying for the knockout phase.

Postecoglou knows information technology is a formidable test confronting opponents who won 4-0 at Celtic Park about two months agone, but – with his team unbeaten in ix matches since so – the bullish Australian has no intention of adopting a safety-first mindset.

He said: "Nosotros'll only acquire from the game if we play our football. You'll learn absolutely goose egg if you go out in that location and shy abroad from it. We tin can go and exist conservative, endeavor and hold on, attempt and survive, but if we exercise that nosotros'll learn nothing.

"All you lot acquire is that you're inferior and you lot don't believe you tin exist any improve. The just way we'll learn annihilation in this game is if we go out there and take the game to them. That may be a painful lesson for us all but ultimately information technology's a ameliorate way for united states of america to notice out.

"Information technology may not be a painful lesson, it may testify that we're making a hell of a lot of progress. I'd rather become there and find out almost ourselves than simply go at that place and try to survive. That's non the fashion yous develop or grow as a team. If we desire to get to these levels, we've got to employ these games as a measuring stick and the only way to get measured is to become out and put yourself out there."

Leverkusen have recently snapped out of a five-game run without a win and currently sit quaternary in the Bundesliga. Postecoglou expects this to exist his side's toughest test since he became Celtic manager in the summer.

He said: "Information technology will be a skilful challenge. They're a good side. They've picked upwardly their form in the league and are going well. Nosotros've played confronting them already so nosotros know the quality of side we're facing.

"To all intents and purposes, they are a Champions League team. It's a super challenge for united states of america away from home. In that location are as well consequences on the result. When nosotros played against them here, nosotros did well in certain aspects simply nosotros also found that mistakes are going to get punished. That'southward going to be the example in Germany.

"I'm sure we'll accept some bright spots, I still believe nosotros can take the game to them, but there are going to be moments when our concentration is going to accept to exist at the highest possible level."

Postecoglou has no fresh injuries to contend with, merely Tom Rogic, Carl Starfelt and Giorgos Giakoumakis remain on the sidelines.