'Defence is the key'
Celtic can forget about beating Benfica on Wednesday unless they cut-out their customary costly errors in away Champions League games - according to defender Lee Naylor.
The Glasgow side have yet to win an away game in the competition, with only one draw and 13 defeats - including a 3-0 loss to the Portuguese side last November.
In their opening game in this season's Champions League they lost 2-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, although they maintained their impressive home record by beating holders AC Milan 2-1 in their next match in Group D.
But Celtic's left-back Naylor admits he and his teammates only have themselves to blame for their poor record on the road.
Against Benfica last season Celtic defender Gary Caldwell scored an own goal before his poor header allowed Nuno Gomes in to score a second before half-time.
And this season, a poor first touch from captain Stephen McManus allowed Donetsk's Brazilian Brandao to open the scoring before their Italian striker Cristiano Lucarelli was gifted space to score an easy header and double their lead in the eighth minute.
However, Naylor believes by keeping things tight in the opening stages on Wednesday night Celtic can finally put an end to their dismal record.
The 27-year-old said: "Our first game in the Champions League in Ukraine was lost in the first 10 minutes as we were two down by then.
"We then had to chase the game and that's very difficult to do at this level so we need to make sure we keep things really tight early on.
"The players are not frustrated that we've still to win away from home in the competition, we just know we need to work harder and be mentally strong.
"At home we've been different class in the Champions League and if we can just tweak a few things when we go away - including starting games better - we can do well."
Although Celtic's confidence was dealt a severe blow at the weekend after being crushed 3-0 by old rivals Rangers, they received a timely triple boost before leaving for Lisbon on Monday.
Captain Stephen McManus, who was knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Rangers striker Daniel Cousin, has been declared fit, as have midfielder Paul Hartley and Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who were both missing from the derby due to hamstring injuries.
While not even a year has passed since Celtic last played Benfica at the Estadio de Luz, the Parkhead side have changed considerably in personnel and style.
Five players who started in the last game - Kenny Miller, Neil Lennon, Paul Telfer, Shaun Maloney and Stephen Pearson - have left the club.
And although manager Gordon Strachan admits his team are now less experienced he believes they have made up for this by improving in other areas.
He said: "There is no doubt we have lost a lot of experience in the team with the players who have left but, making up for that, I think the team is more mobile now and we have more pace."
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