Tom Rogic’s Celtic hosts Serie A leaders Juventus in what should be a tight UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter in Glasgow. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.45am AEDT.
Celtic has punched above its weight thus far in the Champions League and will need to do so again if they are to secure a positive result against Juventus.
The Scottish giants qualified second in the group phase behind FC Barcelona and ahead of Portuguese giants Benfica.
Celtic’s tremendous 2-1 victory over Barcelona in Glasgow during the group stages allowed them to secure qualification to the Round of 16.
Neil Lennon’s men remain undefeated at home in the Champions League, which speaks volumes about Celtic’s ability to rise to the occasion when in Glasgow.
They will certainly need to be at their best against a Juventus team that topped a tough group, containing reigning Champions League winners Chelsea and Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
Prediction
If there is one player Celtic will be keen to shut down tonight, it is midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo.
Like a fine wine, Pirlo has gotten better with age and ranks comfortably alongside Xavi as the world’s best playmaker.
If Pirlo is allowed to dominate, Juventus simply possess too much class for Celtic to handle, with Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella the players most likely to benefit from Pirlo’s passing precision.
Celtic, however, will not be overawed by the occasion, given they defeated passing masters Barcelona at home last year during the group stages.
The Scottish giants will flood the midfield in a bid to put Pirlo off his game, and if they are successful Celtic will go a long way to nullifying a dangerous Juventus attack.
Celtic also possess dangerous players of their own, with Georgios Samaras and James Forrest capable of causing trouble if given the space to do so.
While Celtic certainly deserve respect after their performances thus far, a fit and firing Juventus should possess enough class to secure a priceless away victory.
Juventus to win 1-0.
Alan
Roar Guru
Well Celtic tried hard tonight and dominated large parts of the encounter but were punished severely for their inability to convert chances with Juventus scoring 3 goals against the run of play really. Ambrose had a shocker for Celtic in defence with Matri and Vucinic causing huge trouble, particularly late in the second half. Celtic pressed well and had Juventus under pressure and Ambrose should have scored with the free header. That miss proved costly as Juve would go on to score and seal the tie even before the second leg in Turin. Juventus will march on here barring a disaster and are one of the teams to fear in the Champions League. Thanks for joining us tonight and join us tomorrow for Madrid - United! Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Juve with the throw here as time winds down on Celtic's Champions League campaign. Can Celtic get a consolation goal? Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Anelka nearly sets up Marchiso late on but his cut back pass fails to find his team-mate in the area. Celtic with possession now Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Juventus just playing out time here and toying with Celtic to be honest. Juve win the freekick now Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Mulgrew with a poor freekick and Buffon saves it easily and the Italian goalkeeper has once again been very secure tonight. One of the best keepers ever. Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Wanyama wins a freekick for Celtic but the fans are starting to leave now. Celtic with too much to do to qualify with a trip to Turin coming up. Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Have to say that this is the closest 3-0 match in history really. Celtic were dominating Juventus from the 3rd minute onwards but Juventus have just been far more clinical tonight despite having the fewer chances by far Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
JUVENTUS SUB - Vucinic comes off for Anelka who continues to find himself in Champions League football . Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Juventus really have opened up Celtic now after 75 minutes of pressure from Celtic. Juventus have certainly been tested tonight and that 3-0 scoreline is a little flattering. But Juventus is a class above when it counts Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL JUVENTUS - Pirlo wins possession and sets up Vucinic who scores again for Juventus and its game over now!!! Celtic 0 Juventus 3
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Things could have been so difference had Ambrose scored with the free header. Juve have made them pay big time though and Juventus starting to dictate play now Celtic 0 Juventus 2
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Long way back for Celtic now as Matri comes off for Pogba. Matri has been exceptional upfront for Juventus and is their best player tonight in my opinion Celtic 0 Juventus 2
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Well Juventus have hardly had any chances tonight but they have been clinical to say the least and lead 2-0 as a result against a very valiant Celtic side. Izaguirre's cross is claimed by Buffon and the crowd has fallen silent. Celtic 0 Juventus 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Sorry it was Matri with the first time ball. What a ball from the striker and Juventus are on their way to the quarter-finals one would think.... Celtic 0 Juventus 2
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL JUVENTUS - Marchiso scores and its over now for Celtic! Great first time ball from Pirlo and terrific finish from Marchiso. Celtic 0 Juventus 2
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Mulgrew with another delivery but Buffon yet again claims it easily. Not good enough there from Celtic Celtic 0 Juventus 1
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Pirlo concedes another corner and Celtic have dominated the second half and Juve under real pressure here but continue to hold out Celtic 0 Juventus 1
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Pirlo loses out to Wanyama and Celtic continue to attack here. Izaguirre's cross though is blocked but he wins the corner nonetheless Celtic 0 Juventus 1
Alan
Roar Guru
CELTIC SUBSTITUTION - Commons comes off for Watt. Commons unlucky to come off given his strong performance tonight Celtic 0 Juventus 1