Originally published at: The Lazio Precedent: League form hasn't slowed Celtic in Europe before
Judging from recent form, a lot of fans are going to worry about Celtic in Europe tonight. After a flying start to life under Ange Postecoglou, the Honeymoon period came to a close with some disappointing results. Losses to Rangers and Livingston, and a draw with Dundee United, have worked to dampen expectations for Celtic…
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All teams are capable of lifting their game against tougher opposition,in fact it can be argued that the tougher the challenge the higher some players seem to be able to raise their game beyond what was thought previously possible.
An example this Season would seem to be Dundee Utd ?
4 points from The 2angers and Celtic.
I think fear factor can affect teams two ways:
It can sharpen a players mind and reactions
Or alternatively it can affect their concentration forcing them into making rash or rushed decisions that negatively impact their game on the night.
If you take the Barca result on its own under Lenny and look at the squad selection available then we should have been soundly beaten that night.
A CB pairing of Ambrose and Kelvin Wilson with Matthews deployed at Left Back as a one off facing Dani Alves 
Sure we had to defend for massive periods and Forster had to be on inspired form but the fact remains we did so as a team and still managed to be effective in attack as and when the opportunity came.
The winner scored by an 18 year old who 18 months prior to that night was still playing 3 and in up the Park with his pals not even attached to a Club.
I still think Mascherano was lucky not to be sent off that night as he hauled Watt down when going through on goal again after he scored.
As Sheriff proved at the Bernabeu pressure can be turned into a positive.
Of course Bayer aren’t quite Barca or Madrid but we are going into this as underdogs which isn’t always a bad thing in Football.
Pressure after all can make diamonds.
Ps it can also cause implosion (see Celtic v Barca and PSG under Brendan)