War of words started as Euro Destiny looms on the horizon
Hearts Director of Football Anatoly Korobochka has today stated that he hopes Spartak Moscow knock Celtic out of the Champions League! One could understand if he was an ex-player or manager and he still holds a candle for the club but he played for Spartak’s DEADLY RIVALS CSKA!
Korobochka said: "I wish my friends from Spartak the best of luck on Wednesday. Celtic offended us and I would like it to be avenged."
Imagine backing your ex-teams biggest rivals to beat a team that you couldn’t conquer!
Maybe Walter will be asking us for a similar favour sometime in the future!
Spartak’s high impressive Captain Igor Titov is cautious of his side’s trip to Paradise.
Asked if he was concerned about the trip, he replied: "I am worried but still hope it will turn out OK in Scotland. In the end, we are fighting for Champions League qualification. It is possibly for the best that we lost our last league game.
"We sustained a hard blow but it could stand us in good stead for what lies ahead. You will see a different Spartak against Celtic."
I think we will see a different Spartak on a grass pitch! Celtic wasn’t the only team who was compromised by that well irrigated playing surface!
Lets hope that Clubs who alter their pitch prior to Kick-off in these important ties do not prosper!
The Director of Football Anatoly Korobochka then sobered up and gave a frank, honest and complimentary appraisal of his team’s capitulation at the hands of the Champions.
Korobochka then added: "Celtic are very good physically. It feels as if the Celtic players are all highly motivated and their team spirit was high, too. Also I can't help but mention their fans.
"It is hard playing there. They all expect their club to qualify for the group stage. But Spartak are strong enough to overcome Celtic, although they must not concede an early goal.
"We created three good scoring opportunities on Saturday. But Celtic will give Spartak a fight, so the Russian side should be fast with the ball and constantly play a pressing game, so the Scots don't feel in control."
Analysing the Celtic team in detail, Korobochka denied the perception in Russia that Celtic are a one-man team revolving around Shunsuke Nakamura.
The man who arrived as Hearts' sporting director gave most of Strachan's team a positive review but identified Lee Naylor as a potential weak link.
That’s hardly news now is it? Naylor had a Leo Sayer in Moscow and hardly improved in the weekend win over Hearts. If there is one weak element of our team it is in the fullback positions.
Lets hope it is just a blip on Lee’s Celtic career and he is not the modern day version of Chris "one good season" Morris!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt