Celtic will head to Italy next week knowing they are facing mission impossible.

Manager Neil Lennon will look at it as a game in its own right – and he certainly won't want to come out of it on the back of a humiliating scoreline.

So I'd expect he will field the strongest side possible.

Scott Brown will obviously be missing as he heads off for what is an inevitable procedure to cure a long-standing groin problem and he is a big loss.

However, for all that they lost 3-0 in that first leg, I don't think Celtic had cause to be ashamed of their performance.

They were in no way disgraced against the Italians, whom you would expect to be a little less cuddly this time, shall we say, given their lead.

I don't think anyone would expect Celtic to overturn the deficit, but they can bow out of what has been an excellent European campaign with their pride intact.

On the whole, Celtic's performances away from home in the Uefa Champions League this season have been impressive and they have maintained a very decent standard.

They have no reason to approach the game next week with any trepidation.

And if they could perhaps get an early goal then it would make things interesting if they can make the home fans nervous.

But the biggest task, I would expect, would be on restricting Juventus and ensuring they aren't given the initiative too easily, too early.

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