Celtic seek a little help from an old friend

Defensive frailty on their travels has undermined the Scottish cause but Phil Gordon says all is not yet lost

Luciano Pavarotti may be the greatest Italian tenor to come to town, but Alessandro Del Piero is ready to dispute that title. Though Celtic fervently hope it ain't over until the fat lady sings, it is the incomparable Juventus No 10 who could deliver a Glasgow kiss to their lingering Champions' League ambitions.

Del Piero's talismanic quality was underlined in midweek when he ignored a broken hand to play and score in the 3-1 success over Porto to book La Vecchia Signora's ticket into the next phase. His exiled compatriots have found it a good deal harder to secure their own. Tickets for Juve's Group E date have been like goldust among Scotland's Italian community since the draw was made. In true fashion, the lucky few are making a meal of it: antipasti will be followed on the menu by football as the well-heeled fans head to Parkhead, before their coach whisks them back to a city restaurant for the pasta course and a few celebration drinks.

Not since Pavarotti's concert in Glasgow a few years ago have the exiles been so full of anticipation. The Juventus-loving opera star will no doubt be watching somewhere on television, yet there are three voices who feel Celtic could yet be the ones to require an encore.

Paul Elliott, Paul Lambert and Harald Brattbakk are in harmony about the prospects for Martin O'Neill's side – even though that victory over the Italian giants will not be enough if Porto defeat Rosenborg at home.

Brattbakk contributed to his former club's predicament by scoring both Rosenborg's goals in their 2-0 success last Tuesday. The Norwegian swapped shirts in Trondheim with Lambert, his former colleague and captain, yet it was Celtic being stripped bare which perturbed Elliott.

A defensive pillar at Parkhead for two years between 1989 and 1991, Elliott, now the expert on all things Italian for Channel Four, observed an issue which may need change if O'Neill wants to survive in Europe. "Martin favours a back three," Elliott explained, "and at the highest level that system gets exposed."

Eight goals conceded in three away trips to Juventus, Porto and Rosenborg are in stark contrast to two clean sheets on their own patch. However, Elliott insists: "The top teams at this level, such as Juventus and Manchester United, play with a flat back four. But Celtic can take heart from the way they played in Turin [when a last minute penalty condemned them to a 3-2 defeat]. They were so near to a great result that night and also beat Porto at home.

"They are not a million miles away and will come good in the long term. With Juventus having already qualified, and with an important Serie A game next weekend, that will now be their priority. Celtic, with that crowd of theirs, can win that game – but I am more concerned about the Porto-Rosenborg game."

Brattbakk, however, has pledged to defy Porto just as he did Milan in the final group game of the 1996-97 season when he scored in the 2-1 victory that knocked out the Italian side. "The Milan fans rioted and their players were kept in the stadium for three hours," the Rosenborg striker recalled. "But we know now how to play away in Europe because we have done it so often over the last seven years. No one thought we could do it and perhaps it is the same with Porto. I realise I could help Celtic to qualify if we win next week and I'll do everything I can, but my first priority is Rosenborg."

Lambert has also savoured the taste of Italian success. The same season that Brattbakk sorted out Milan, Lambert beat Juventus to win the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.

"This is another final," he declared. "We have to do our utmost to try and win the game, we need help from Rosenborg but first and foremost we have to look after our own problems, then we'll see what happens after that.

"I've always said that the Champions League is the best club tournament around. No matter what happens through this campaign, the games are great occasions whether it be Rosenborg, Porto or Juventus, it's a great experience. This is our first time in the competition, we were the so called weakest team in it – we were drawn out last, yet we still have an opportunity to try and get through.

"Playing Juventus is a great game for the club and one that we have to win, then hopefully something gives in Portugal." Perhaps at the instigation of Brattbakk? "I hope so – but I'll settle for anyone."