Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is backing Celtic to lift the UEFA Cup tonight. Ferguson, the former Rangers striker, believes knocking out the likes of Liverpool and Stuttgart is proof enough that they can also defeat Porto.
He told
The Scotsman
: "I really fancy Celtic quite strongly and it's because of their form in the tournament.
"They have not only beaten the best teams in the competition, but beaten them well. It wasn't as if they were lucky. I don't think there's been a single round in which you could say they were lucky to get through.
"Liverpool and Blackburn have both qualified for Europe in the Premiership this season and Liverpool could have been in the Champions League. That's good form and nobody should underestimate what Celtic achieved by beating them so comfortably.
"Stuttgart were second top of the Bundesliga until last week and now they're third, another sound form line. They're going to be in the Champions League and Celta Vigo are among the leaders in Spain. These are impressive scalps to have taken."
Ferguson conceded however that Hoops boss Martin O'Neill would be without a key player.
He said: "Martin has had just one setback, the absence of John Hartson. He'll be missed, because he does a terrific job for Celtic. But Chris Sutton is a very able deputy who can upset defenders in the same way as Hartson. And Martin will have them very well prepared, physically and mentally.
"They'll stick to their game plan for sure. That's how he does it and he is very, very good at getting the very best out of the players he has, from the most gifted to the ordinary. On top of all that, I have a hunch Celtic will react best to the occasion."
Thousands of fans both in and around the ground would help them do that, Ferguson added.
He said: "It is a marvellous night for them, they'll arrive at the stadium and see that huge covering of green and white and they'll feel great about themselves. Make no mistake about it, that number of supporters does make a difference. Enough, I think, to give Celtic the edge."