Celtic seeking more European glory in Lisbon

Celtic's captain Neil Lennon arrives at a press conference in Lisbon. Celtic FC will face SL Benfica in a Champions League group F football match.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says his side will be looking for more European glory when they face Benfica Wednesday in the Champions League in Lisbon, the city where in 1967 the team became the first British side to win the European Cup.

"Everyone at Celtic is looking forward to it, we are hopeful we can give the fans some memories, not just past ones, give them something to be proud of," he told a news conference on Tuesday after arriving in Lisbon for the match.

"I'd like to win the game," he added when asked if he would settle for a draw in the Group F return clash with the Portuguese giants.

Celtic beat Benfica 3-0 at home in their last clash two weeks ago and a win on Wednesday would all but secure the Glasgow club a place in the knockout phase for the first time since group stages were introduced.

The club has six points from three games, five points ahead of Benfica, and can progress to the last 16 with a win against the Lisbon side combined with a draw or a victory by Manchester United in the other match in Group F.

Celtic midfielder and captain Neil Lennon said the squad has had a good run and was upbeat ahead of the match.

Celtic's coach Gordon Strachan speaks during a press conference at the Dom Pedro hotel in Lisbon 31 October 2006. Celtic FC will face SL Benfica in a Champions League group F football match.

"We're in a good run of form at the moment but we don't take anything for granted. The away games in the Champions League are as tough as it gets. We are quietly confident," he said.

"What we are going to try to do is get our noses in front if we can at some stage in the game," he added.

"I think we just have to keep our focus and concentration for 90 minutes tomorrow if we can. We have a huge squad, probably one of the strongest since I have been at the club."

The Scottish champions head into the match at the top of their domestic league, with a 12-point cushion over arch-rivals Rangers, after a 2-1 win against Kilmarnock.

But the squad have not won in their last 11 away matches in European competition.

Benfica coach Fernando Santos said his side, who have only a draw and two defeats after three group games, has improved since their loss against Celtic and are focused on a win.

"The squad has gotten better and better since the game in Glasgow. We have to use our offensive qualities which we have shown in recent matches where we have scored 13 or 14 times. We have to attack," he said.

Benfica captain Simao Sabrosa, who turned 27 on Tuesday, said defeating Celtic would be the best possible birthday gift.

"What is most important is that we not allow them to score, because if they don't score, we have greater chances of winning. We have to all defend well and attack in the best way possible, which we have been good at," he added.

Benfica are the second-highest scorers in the Portuguese league, having scored 13 times in their last four matches but have failed to score in their last four European matches.

The club fought back from 2-0 down against rivals FC Porto in a weekend domestic league match before going on to lose 3-2 after Porto added a third in injury time.

Celtic recorded their most famous victory in Lisbon in 1967 when they beat Inter Milan 2-1 to become the first British side to lift the European Cup.