We're the Egyptian Celtic says director of African Club of the Century

Last updated : 24 July 2009 By Mikbhoy

Celtic will play Al-Ahly at Wembley tonight in the prestigious tournament which also features Barcelona and Spurs. Tony Mowbray will be using tonight's game and Sunday's match against Tottenham to fine tune his side ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow and Al-Ahly director Mortagy assured the Celts that his team will provide a stern test for the Hoops.

The Cairo based club were named "African Club of the Century " by the Confederation of African Football in 2000 and are the most successful club in Egypt's history, having won the Egyptian League thirty-four times and the Egyptian Cup thirty-five times. The man to watch out for tonight will be Al-Ahly's and Egypt's biggest hero Mohamed Aboutrika who was recently voted one of the best 50 players on the planet in a FIFA poll. Khaled Mortagy enthused about Aboutrika and insisted that his status as a world class player would be confirmed in the matches against Celtic and Barcelona.

"Egyptian football is getting stronger all the time and we think we would surprise some people if the nation reached the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer." said Mortagy. "We have a lot of talented players and Aboutrika is the standout, both for us at club level and his country at international level. There is no doubt he is an exciting player, but there are those who will say that because he has not moved to play in Europe he is not capable of performing at that standard.

"But trust me, he is among the very best players in the world and I am sure people will get to see that with these two games against two of the finest teams in Europe, Celtic and Barcelona." he said "It is an honour for a team such as Al-Ahly to be asked to play in the Wembley Cup because all the teams have very prestigious histories, including Tottenham Hotspur. Barcelona are probably the best club in the world and it will be a privilege to play against them."

"It will be fantastic to play Celtic because I believe they are a team that have a lot in common with us." added the director. "We are expected to win everything and are the most successful team in Egypt. But every team that plays against us gives 100 per cent because it is such a big thing if they beat us. We are the team everyone lifts their game against. It means it is never easy for us."

As far as Celtic are concerned the tournament has been overshadowed by the upcoming Champions League game but boss Tony Mowbray is still excited at leading out his side at the home of English football. "It's always an incredible experience to play at Wembley." said the Celtic gaffer. "And I'm honoured to be the first man to take a Scottish club to the great stadium. I have very happy memories of Wembley from my playing days and scoring the equaliser to aid Ipswich's promotion to the Premier League was a highlight of my career."

"The Wembley Cup gives me the perfect opportunity to test my players against some of the biggest teams in Europe and Africa." added the boss. "We have great talent at Celtic and I'm looking forward to seeing them perform against Spurs and Al Ahly. The team is excited to be involved in this fantastic weekend of football and I hope all the fans enjoy the spectacle put on for them."