Caldwell: Benfica may be tougher than France and Ukraine
Caldwell came out with flying colours when he faced up to Henry and Shevchenko in the European Championship qualifiers. Indeed, the former Hibernian skipper scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over France at Hampden Park although the game in Kiev four days later ended in a 2-0 defeat for Walter Smith’s side, with Shevchenko scoring a penalty.
Caldwell is preparing to take on Nuno Gomes and company in the Champions League Group F match at Celtic Park.
He said: “I’m sure Benfica can (cause more problems), they’ve got world class players. Sometimes you can get caught up in names. Henry and Shevchenko are obviously great players but I think players raise their game against them and it can be easier at times.
“I’m sure Benfica will have excellent players on the night. We will be aware of their strengths and weaknesses come kick-off but, at this level, you don’t come up against teams who aren’t good.
“They are going to cause us a lot of problems with their pace on each wing and they have a good striker as well so it’s going to be a difficult night. But we are at home and it’s up to us to have a go at them, use our style of play to cause them as many problems as we can, and try and win the game.
Celtic play the Portuguese side again in Lisbon in a fortnight. The Hoops sit two points above Benfica and Caldwell believes the victors over the next two encounters will join Manchester United in the knockout stages.
He said: “We expect Manchester United to take maximum points from their two games against Copenhagen so, if we come out on top in these two matches, we will be favourite to take second place.”
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan will give Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Aiden McGeady and Maciej Zurawski every chance to prove their fitness.
Vennegoor of Hesselink — back after an ankle injury — limped out of Saturday’s 4-1 win over Dundee United. McGeady is also nursing an ankle knock, while Zurawski returned from international duty with Poland with tightness in his legs.
Thomas Gravesen is definitely out with a hamstring strain, meaning Evander Sno is likely to make his Champions League debut.
