Former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan says his old club will need divine intervention to beat Barcelona.
The Hoops and the Blaugrana have been drawn together in Champions League Group G, and will meet for the first time at Camp Nou on October 23.
“You visit a church or a chapel – whatever your preference is – and just hope,” Strachan quipped when asked how to get the better of Barcelona by Scottish paper The Daily Record.
The former Scotland international has first hand experience of Barca's brilliance, having led Celtic into a Champions League last 16 tie against the Catalans in 2008.
“That was when everyone in Britain realised they were a special team,” he continued.
“When Manchester United came to play us they got 340 odd passes. Milan made 360 or so, we actually managed to contain Andrea Pirlo. But Barcelona came to Celtic Park and played 700 passes. I looked at the analyst and said 'there's something wrong with Prozone.' It was hypnotic football.”
The former Southampton manager is nonetheless impressed by the job Neil Lennon has done at Celtic and fancies the Glasgow outfit's chances of progression.
“I think they can qualify for the knockout stage. Lenny has built a good squad, he has options and they're very strong in midfield.”
