There’s been a lot of great coverage in the build-up for Celtic Champions League clash against the reigning European champions but it was great to hear from Martin O’Neill and Guillem Balague before the match.
O’Neill created many special memories on European nights at Celtic Park and it’s always good to hear from the former Celtic boss.
He knows all about the expectations of the club and also won the European Cup on two occasions with Nottingham Forest under the great Brian Clough.
“A really glamorous tie obviously, and remarkably a chance for Celtic. I know that they are European champions, they are a fantastic football club – no doubt at all about that but remarkably sometimes they’re a wee bit vulnerable in the early stages of the competition,” said Martin O’Neill speaking to The Nine.
“If you are talking about a group that you certainly look as if you’ve got a chance then this would be it.
“Celtic are going into this game with absolutely and utterly nothing to lose in many aspects. There is no pressure whatsoever on this particular game.”
That vulnerability which O’Neill speaks about was displayed last season when FC Sheriff defeated Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu 2-1.
Los Blancos don’t properly tend to get into the swing of things until later on in the tournament but Balague was keen to stress that Real Madrid have won every game so far this season also.
“It is true that if you look at the games closely, you realise that yes they know exactly how to play and they’ve got the quality to beat obstacles but there’s been a moment or two where it looks like they may draw this game or lose this game against Almería or Espanyol but Ancelotti has got a clear idea of what he is going to do,” said Guillem Balague.
Celtic will attack Madrid and will try and win the game, there’s absolutely no doubt about that.
The Hoops couldn’t have picked a more glamorous game to be back in the competition with. There’s a buzz amongst Celtic fans and a real belief that the Hoops can get
