Familiar territory suits Celtic
Tuesday, November 4, 2003
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Celtic FC are defending a 61-game unbeaten home record when they welcome RSC Anderlecht to Glasgow.
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By Alex O'Henley in Glasgow
Celtic FC manager Martin O'Neill is playing down his side's incredible home record as they prepare to try and avenge their 1-0 UEFA Champions League defeat by RSC Anderlecht in Brussels two weeks ago.
Unbeaten run
It is now 61 games and more than two years since Celtic tasted a home defeat. AFC Ajax were the last team to win at Celtic Park in August 2001 when the Dutch side triumphed 1-0 in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie after Celtic had won the first leg 3-1. It is a record that even Celtic's legendary manager Jock Stein failed to match, but O'Neill says it will count for nothing against Anderlecht.
No fluke
"Sometimes it can be a source of worry," O'Neill said. "Our home record here at Celtic Park, especially in European games, has been terrific but it's not been a fluke. It has been done by the exceptional hard work of players who have to go full-out during the games and also helped by the enormous enthusiasm of the crowd who stay passionate for the full length of the game."
Miller fit
O'Neill goes into the Group A encounter without midfield player Alan Thompson, who is still recovering from a calf strain, as well as long-term absentees Paul Lambert and Johan Mjällby. However, Liam Miller has recovered from a slight injury sustained in the 5-0 away win against Kilmarnock FC at the weekend.
Victory wanted
O'Neill concedes his team played poorly in Brussels, especially after Anderlecht captain Glen De Boeck had been dismissed in the first half. The defeat left Celtic propping up their group with three points and O'Neill said: "We probably have to win the game, although I'm sure it would not be the death knell of our Champions League aspirations if we draw the match."
Dindane danger
Celtic's Belgian defender Joos Valgaeren identified Anderlecht striker Aruna Dindane - who scored the Matchday 3 winner - as the main threat to their unbeaten home record. "Aruna is a real handful," Valgaeren told uefa.com. "He has lots of strength and pace as well as skill and carries a real goal threat. It was a big concern for us in the first game that Anderlecht had so much of the ball in midfield."
'Two different teams'
Meanwhile, Anderlecht coach Hugo Broos believes Celtic's impressive home record is there to be broken with his side having gleaned a psychological edge from their victory two weeks ago. "Celtic's good record at home is a statistic and in football everything can change," he said. "Our results in the league in Belgium are good, so we are very confident."
Tihinen chance
Long-term injury victims Goran Lovre, Ki-Hyeon Seol, Lamine Traore and Olivier Doll will be joined in the stands by the suspended De Boeck. Finnish international Hannu Tihinen assumes the captain's defensive duties and is relishing the prospect. "This is probably going to be our hardest game yet," he said. "We are at the stage now where a defeat can mean you are out of the competition. We would be happy with a point - that would be a marvellous result."