Martin O'Neill believes Celtic's trip to Lisbon can provide the right kind of lift, with the manager saying the club's history in the Portuguese capital should inspire his players as they look for a first Europa League win of the season. It is a difficult assignment, but one Celtic will approach with confidence from their Sunday win at Motherwell and a clear sense of purpose.
The broader picture is straightforward. Celtic opened their Europa League campaign with a home defeat to Ferencvaros, while Benfica began with a win over AC Milan at the San Siro. That gives the hosts momentum, but O'Neill made it clear Celtic are in Lisbon to compete and to keep their qualification hopes alive.
O'Neill: Lisbon should lift Celtic
Speaking before the match, O'Neill said the connection between Celtic and Lisbon remains something special for the club. He pointed back to the European Cup victory in 1967, when Celtic beat Inter Milan in the Portuguese capital to become the first British club to win the competition.
"First of all, looking forward to the game, it's a big match for us and lovely to be involved," he said. "Secondly, the history of the football club and the connection to Lisbon, it's terrific, something the football club should be really proud of."
He added that the occasion should be viewed in context, but still carry weight. "I think it's a separate entity in many aspects," he said, while also noting that by next year it will be 60 years since that famous night. "It's really lovely, I must admit. It's something to look forward to and just the whole history of it, it should have a galvanizing effect on us."
That is the kind of message Celtic will hope translates from talk to performance. The setting gives the fixture extra resonance, but the points matter just as much after the opening setback against Ferencvaros.
Team news and the challenge ahead
Celtic will also have to manage a defensive absence. O'Neill confirmed that Cameron Carter-Vickers is out with a strain, although Camilo Duran was hoping to be involved later on Wednesday. With four games in about 10 days, the manager knows the schedule will test his squad again.
"Cameron has a bit of a strain, so he's missing, but Camilo is hoping to be out here later on," he said.
There is still belief inside the camp. O'Neill said the players are looking forward to European football and that the squad is ready for the demands ahead. He also pointed to Sunday's 2-0 win at Motherwell as evidence that the group can produce quality, even if this is a very different challenge.
"I thought we played some really fantastic football on Sunday, but this is a different team, different stadium, different everything," he said. "They've got a lot of good players and have gained a great deal of confidence by winning in Milan, that's not easy."
For Celtic, the task is clear enough. The Premiership remains important, but while they are in Europe, the target is qualification. Lisbon gives them history, atmosphere and a reminder of what the club can achieve. The test now is whether they can turn that into a result against a Benfica side already carrying momentum.
