So it's Man United? Here we go again!"
"Oh well, if you're going to play in the Champions League you might as well come up against the Champions League champions. It doesn't get any easier does it?
"You have to be honest about it and say this is an even stronger Manchester United than the Manchester United we faced two years ago.
"This time they are champions of Europe and champions of England. They are a better team now and that will make our job even harder."
Celtic will also face Spanish side Villarreal and Danish champions Aalborg, who defeated Rangers' conquerors FBK Kaunas to book their place in the group stages.
The first thing that hits me when I look at this group is that we will have to pick up something away from home this time if we want to make the last 16.
Celtic Striker Scott McDonald
"Don't ask me why but I'm pretty sure it won't be enough for us to rely on our home record this time around.
"There are no guarantees we will be able to pick up all nine points from the three games in Glasgow and even if we do it's not certain that would be enough to get us out of this group.
"I feel we will have to pick up some points on our travels this time and get that monkey off our backs.
"If we want to get through to the next stage we are going to have to be stronger away from Celtic Park.
"That is my honest assessment of the situation and I honestly believe we are good enough and experienced enough to do it this time around.
"It's time the players proved to ourselves that we are good enough to win points away from home.
"We know what is required and the manager has also tried a few different systems and tactics with the Champions League in mind.
"When we played Porto in the pre-season we were solid and really difficult to break down. We ended up winning that one 1-0 right at the death and I believe we all took a lot of confidence from that result.
"That was us up against a top European side in a hostile environment and we were good enough to stick to the manager's game plan and get out of there with a win.
"If we can put on performances like that in the Champions League then there is absolutely no reason why we can't end this horrible run of defeats away from home.
"We have to show that we are strong enough to cope when we are being bombarded and that we have the resolve to see the job through.
"We have to be prepared to defend as a unit when necessary and believe we are capable of going up the other end and scoring a vital goal or two.
He said: "I was desperate to go to Celtic Park for that match against United but the way things were back then the fans would probably have had me hung, drawn and quartered.
"So I had to sit in the house and watch it on the TV and I must admit, it was one of those nights when you just wished you could be a part of it.
"Games like this are what get the juices flowing. Any professional football player wants to be involved in nights like this. It really doesn't get much better than that and it's a massive thing to look forward to.
"These are two of the biggest clubs in Britain with great tradition and we will both be going into the matches knowing how much they mean to our supporters.
"It's funny but we always seem to get pulled out of the hat against the current champions and we've done it again. Hopefully it will prove to be a good omen. It's a difficult group and we will have our work cut out.
But we could have had Juventus and Real Madrid so we can't complain.
"At one stage I thought we were destined to get Liverpool and PSV - I thought that might give us our best chance. But then Atletico Madrid came out of the fourth pot and all of a sudden that group looks like a nightmare.
"So we're happy with what we've got and we don't need to go into this section feeling worried or anxious.
" We will respect all the teams but the bottom line is it's time to make sure they respect us too every time we get on a plane.
That's the most important thing for us to concentrate on."
Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United Manager
"It is a great challenge for us, " said the United boss. "First of all we have to progress from the group stage and to do that you need 10 points to qualify.
"The tournament really kicks off in February. That is when it gets exciting, the one-off knock-out stages.
"I think we have a squad to challenge the best but you cannot think of yourselves as favourites when you see teams like AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus - all great names.
"We will make sure we apply ourselves in the right way, then we will have a chance."
Ferguson insists the Champions League is getting tougher and used Standard Liege as an example.
The Belgians ran Liverpool close and he said: "There is a good standard at this level.
"Standard Liege were a surprise to me because Belgian football has not been that great for some years now. But it was an excellent performance against Liverpool."
Celtic chairman John Reid
Reid has fond memories of the last time they met United at Parkhead as the Glasgow giants sealed a 1-0 victory.
He said: "I am delighted for our fans we have once again drawn the champions of Europe. Last season it was AC Milan, the year before it was Barcelona.
"If we are going to play in Europe - and we are very proud to be Scotland's representatives - we may as well start with the big ones.
"They don't come much bigger than Manchester United so we are delighted. We have done very well at home and are proud of our record.
"The last time at home we pipped United at the post but they are European champions and we will not take them for granted."
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt