It has to be said that Celtic looked great in stages yesterday; with their pace and movement bamboozling the Spambos in every area of the pitch, but with the visit of the Champions of Europe on the horizon Celtic are heading into the Lion's den to face the best team in the world.
Watching Berbatov, Rooney and Ronaldo tear Hull apart on Saturday is enough to fill anyone with dread at facing them but I am sure that the Parkhead atmosphere will jolt them from their comfort zone. Manager Gordon Strachan has also stated that Celtic will need more than hard work and endeavour to prevail over Man U.
We have to play against the best team in the world,"
"Spirit and determination are not a problem. But we need breaks against Manchester United. If we are to do well, we need a break,"
"We need to be at our best. In terms of motivation and character, we will be fine. But we will not have the same ability as them. You know that and I know that. That is the best team in the world."
Barry Robson, Celtics Man of the Match against Hearts was not confused as to the magnitude of the task ahead. "We know how hard it is going to be," Robson said. "We know they are a good side but we are a good side, too. We are in front of great fans in a massive stadium. We need to try to put on a show for our fans and for ourselves. We have done it before against United."
Meanwhile Alex Ferguson was quietly confident of his sides chances of killing off Celtic at Parkhead "We are in an excellent position in our group after beating Celtic 3-0 and if we can repeat that result in the return, we will be well on our way to the next stage.
"But we must be ready for a challenge with Celtic. We didn't have much of a problem at home but you have to remember they were without their two big strikers, Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, which took away their focal point of attack.
"I don't ignore the fact, either, that we had a couple of breaks with offside decisions that went our way and you can't count on that in the white-hot atmosphere of Parkhead.
"Having said that, I thought we handled Celtic well in the first game. The speed of our play was good and the combination of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov was a threat I hope to see repeated.
"I can see our group finishing like it is now, with Villarreal and ourselves going through, to leave Celtic to get the better of Aalborg for a place in the UEFA Cup.
"So the Scots still have a lot to play for and though we'll go there with every confidence we'll have to be at our best to prevail."
I for one can't wait till Wednesday night!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt