The ex-Fulham and Everton boss is preparing to face the Hoops in Thursday night's Europa League showdown in Lisbon

Marco Silva insists he has huge respect for Celtic - but warned Martin O’Neill’s men they are in for a tough night in Lisbon, writes Ryan McDonald from Portugal .

The Benfica boss is targeting another three points after making a stunning start to the Europa League campaign with a 2-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro. Silva has already faced Scottish opposition this season, having thrashed Hearts 6-1 at the Estadio da Luz in August. But the ex-Fulham and Everton boss expects a step up in quality against the Hoops.

He said: “Yes, it will be a different game. It’s a game we will have different aspects. We are in a different phase of the Europa League. We are talking about qualifiers against Hearts. Celtic is a big team, they are capable of doing a lot of things. We’re going to face a massive club.

“A club with a big tradition as well and they are used to fighting to be champion and winning games every single time. The start of the European competition has not been what they expected really but the reality is they want to react. Players are used to the pressure and know what it means to play for a big club and to win. It’s going to be a difficult game.

“It’s not the first time we’ve received Celtic fans at the Benfica stadium and it’s going to be a pleasure to have them there. But it’s not easy to play in our stadium and it’s going to be a tough night for Celtic.”

Silva also has a personal connection to one of Celtic’s rising stars after working with Callum Osmand at Craven Cottage before the striker moved to Parkhead last year. And the 49-year-old was delighted to see the youngster write his name into folklore with an iconic league-clinching goal against Hearts.

He said: “Yes. I remember the goal and it’s nice to see him be himself. He’s a very good boy who took a decision in that moment to go from England to Scotland and to sign for a big club. Of course he’s a very young player and a player who wasn’t playing in the Fulham first team.

“He was playing for the Under-23 team. Going from that spot for a club that was playing for a club that was playing to be champion in Scotland was a big step. It was important of him to play senior football. It’s nice to see him play. I always wish the best for him because he’s a fantastic boy.”

Silva has been linked with the Celtic hotseat in the past but insists he has never had the opportunity to manage in Scotland. But he does have a soft spot for Scottish football after working with Andy Robertson and Tom Cairney during his time in England.

He said: “No. I never had a chance to work in Scotland. I’m a fan. I know the big derbies you have up there for sure. When you are so many years in England, of course it’s something we have to be aware of. You get a chance to enjoy some of the games, you always have a Scottish player in your squad.

“Some of them like Andy Robertson who is Scotland captain and was my player at Hull. At so many years with Fulham with Tom Cairney. Some players come to the Premier League or Championship and you are aware of these teams. More than that, we need to respect the past and present of Celtic.

"It’s a club that’s going to try and make our life difficult. We have to be at our best level and be Benfica.”

Meanwhile, ex-Shakhtar Donetsk star Georgiy Sudakov is relishing another rematch with Celtic. The Ukrainian playmaker was blown away by the Parkhead atmosphere when Mykhailo Mudryk rescued a Champions League point for the Ukrainian side in Glasgow back in 2022.

He added: “Benfica and Celtic looks like a derby. Celtic are a big club I played against them for Shakhtar. The atmosphere is amazing, something special. When I played there I was 19 and wow. It was crazy. After this, I really can’t forget the atmosphere. Celtic is a big club, also because they have big fans like Benfica and they really fight for the club.”