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Sick Petrescu full of ill intent

CLUJ coach Alin Minteuan insists ill boss Dan Petrescu can sicken Celtic once again.

The manager was unable to attend last night’s press conference in Glasgow’s east end after informing the squad he felt unwell prior to their departure for the stadium for training.

Petrescu still hopes to take his place in the technical area for tonight’s Europa League showdown.

But if he can’t No.2 Minteuan – who has been main man in the technical area for the last three domestic games with Petrescu serving a touchline ban – says the wily boss has already put an altered game plan in place to silence the home support for the second time in seven weeks after the heroics of their 4-3 Champions League victory in August.

He said: “We really hope Dan is with us on the bench for the game but if not we will prepare the team for this game.

“It will be different for us this time. We had to win so we had to attack. Last time we under pressure to get the victory but now it is more important we don’t lose.

“We had a good experience here last time. We managed to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

“The pressure was very big on us going into that game but we succeeded. This will be different but we will try to be as organised as we can and get a result.”

Keeper Giedrius Arlauskis also believes Petrescu, who has been linked with jobs in Russia, will have a big part to play whether he attends or not.

He said: “Before we left for training the coach said he didn’t feel very well. As we know he’s a fighter and we will be okay for the game. If he’s not 100 per cent he will still be with us. We believe in him.”