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Rennes vs Celtic Europa League Group E 5:55pm Thursday September Stade de la Route-de-Lorient Rennes head trainer Julien Stephan believes Celtic are extremely close to the caliber of Europa League rivals Lazio because he warned his staff that getting from their team could be more difficult. Celtic kick off their group effort in Brittany on Thursday while their Champions League conquerors, Cluj, take on the Italians. Rennes reached the last 16 last season, finishing before Jablonec and Astana and behind Dinamo Kiev and losing to Arsenal. But Stephan said:"It will be entirely different set from last year, we think that it's a stronger group. They're used to winning national names, annually almost, they have won eight titles in a row. "They are a team who are generally at the Champions League and they've got enormous experience with several internationals. "We all know they could play in the air and they are very technical. They are a very, very great team and also have specialized players such as (Callum) McGregor, (Ryan) Christie, (James) Forrest, just to mention a couple. "They are well balanced and we know how hard it'll be we are fortunate to play at home and the supporters are going to play a big role in a potential win for all of us. "I really do believe Celtic are one of the favorites. As far as experience they need to be in a position to perform well, possibly just behind Lazio." Stephan has dropped half of the team which won the Cup earlier this season but Rennes sit in the table after beating leaders Paris Saint-Germain throughout their five games. "It's a new team, a new season, there is a new story to be told and we need to build a story with a fresh group," he said. "We can't compare this year with last year, last year is history. "We're in the process of fixing and the group is currently evolving. We've had a very good start in the league and we will need to bring it to Europe." After sustaining a head injury from 16, christopher Jullien has been declared fit for the match. The Frenchman and medical care and Marios Ogkmpoe clashed before he had been forced off. Hatem Abd Elhamed is pushing to get a beginning if Neil Lennon chooses to break Jullien, but Leigh Griffiths did not travel after picking up a thigh knock. Rennes dropping 1-3 away from the 2011-12 Europa League group stages and are winless in either of the encounters at home, drawing 1-1 with Celtic. Celtic are winless in their last seven off European games against French resistance (D2 L5) since beating Nantes 3-1 from the 1966-67 European Cup last 16, en route to winning the trophy. Including qualifiers, Rennes have lost just one of the last 15 home games in European contest (W8 D6), heading down 1-2 against Dynamo Kiev in previous year's Europa League group stage. Back in Champions League and Europa League matches combined, Celtic have won just three of the 45 away team stage matches (W3 D11 L31), with a few of the victories coming in last season's contest (1-0 in Rosenborg). Celtic's James Forrest has played in each of the last four matches in European competition this year, including in both legs of the Europa League qualifying victory against AIK. Rennes have started well in Ligue 1. I am hoping that M'Baye Niang won't play. He is lightning quick a lesser variant of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. These guys move and can play, and that is what Celtic struggle against. Celtic is going to be good about the counter-attack, however their reputation is always the same. They get frightened when they venture away from home. They do not know the best places to throw their defence and if to play a squeezing game or not. They pace out wide and are going to have players. Celtic nevertheless have injuries and won't threaten here. CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet) Follow updates to the other side of the Sky Sports website and program through our live game site. Coverage will start at 4.55pm. Watch games this season for less with our Total Football Offer. Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Premier League stations for just #18 extra a month! Read more here: http://classicsounds.pl/?p=38335