Dan Petrescu makes bold Europa League claim about Celtic

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Cluj boss Dan Petrescu has surprisingly told the Scottish Sun that Celtic can win the Europa League this season.

The Hoops have already qualified for the knockout stages of this season’s competition and travel to Romania this evening.

The former Chelsea right-back goes into tonight’s game with his team needing at least a point to beat Lazio into second place.

Cluj knocked Celtic out of the Champions League this season and sealing their fate in the Europa League will surely be on Neil Lennon’s mind.

Ahead of the game though Petrescu believes the Hoops can go all the way in the competition.

He told the Scottish Sun: “In my opinion, they can go all the way and win.

“I think Lazio too – they are good enough to win this competition. They are both Champions League teams.

“Celtic could bring their third team to the Romanian Championship and they would still win so they are the favourites.”

The Hoops have enjoyed an amazing Europa League campaign. Lennon’s men have secured four wins and a draw from their five games and are guaranteed to win the group.

Perhaps the most remarkable results came against Lazio. Celtic defeated the Serie A outfit 2-1 on both occasions to make outsiders stand up and take notice.

Progress

By winning the group, Lennon will see his side handed a more favourable draw, in theory. Group winners can’t play any of the sides who drop into the competition from the Champions League at the next stage.

Petrescu is probably wide of the mark when he says Celtic could go all the way.

Ajax, Inter Milan, Shakhtar, Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica are all entering after their Champions League exits and will all hope to win the competition.

A European night at Celtic Park is typically a special occasion and there aren’t many teams that will fancy facing Celtic in the next round.