Sno having a ball at Celtic

Surprise debut
The 19-year-old former Feyenoord player has flourished under the guidance of Strachan after being released by the Rotterdam club during the summer. Sno was handed a surprise UEFA Champions League debut in the 3-0 win over the Portuguese giants a fortnight ago as a replacement for the injured Thomas Gravesen and is expected to resume his central midfield role alongside Neil Lennon in Lisbon.

Strachan's support
"I am a young guy in a different country and sometimes I'm alone, so for me the coach has to be like my second father," Sno told uefa.com. "Every footballer needs the confidence of the coach and if he gets that and the coach believes in you then you can do well as a player. I was pretty happy with my performance against Benfica and I want to taste that experience again."

Gamble
Sno, who started out on the books of AFC Ajax, spent the second half of last season on loan at NAC Breda, but gambled on a move to the Scottish Premier League when it became apparent he was not going to get a regular starting place in Erwin Koeman's Feyenoord side. "It was a gamble to come to Scotland but Feyenoord weren't giving me a chance and that's why I wanted to try something different," said Sno, who models himself on Patrick Vieira as a player.

Eager to please
"Gordon Strachan told me I would get a chance in the first team and he has been true to his word. I like an honest coach. I think I have shown the people in Holland that I can play at this level, but to be honest I'm not worrying about the people back home any more. I'm now playing in Scotland and I want the Celtic fans to be proud of me."

Gravesen missing
The powerfully built midfielder was rested for last Sunday's 2-1 win over Kilmarnock FC, appearing as an 88th-minute substitute, but with Gravesen still recovering from a hamstring injury, Sno should feature at Benfica and is confident that Celtic can continue their progress towards a first appearance in the knockout stages. "I think we are the favourites to qualify from this group now along with Manchester United [FC]," he said.

Optimistic
A win will carry Celtic into the last 16 provided FC København do not beat United in the group's other game and Sno added: "Benfica at home will be a test for us, but we are technically good and difficult to beat, so there's no reason why we can't go there and get a result."