WE’LL GO FOR WEAK SPOTS
worked wonders in recent weeks to breathe fresh life into his new Hoops squad.
But Jansen’s Dutch aces – who now stand in Celtic’s way as they eye up a place in the Europa League group stage – have developed their own taste for blood and only Eredivisie champions Ajax outscored them last term.
AZ’s goal-hungry skipper Teun Koopmeiners has predicted an end-to-end affair as the teams prepare for tonight’s play-off clash and his boss agreed.
Asked what kind of game he is preparing for, Jansen said: “I couldn’t have answered it any better than my captain.
“That’s our identity – we play to win games and we play to move the spectators in the stands. So that’s not going to be any different.
“However, we’re playing two games for a spot in the Europa League which would be a very big thing for this club.
“We’re going to do everything we can over two games to get that spot.”
Postecoglou’s rejuvenated outfit have blasted 16 goals in their last four games.
But the defensive weaknesses which saw them dumped out the Champions League by Danish outfit Midtjylland were evident again as Celtic allowed Hearts to make Sunday’s 3-2 Premier Sports Cup win a much tighter affair than it should have been.
Jansen admits he has yet to tap into former Rangers ace Arthur Numan – an Alkmaar scout – for some local knowledge. But he is well aware of the chinks in the Parkhead armour.
He said: “I haven’t spoken to Arthur that much over the past days but I’ve very glad that he’s here and hopefully he will bring some good luck.
“We always look for our own opportunities to win the game and to attack the opponent where they are weakest.
“Of course we’ve found some weak spots. That’s obvious – just as they’ve probably found some weak spots as well.
“I’m not familiar with the dynamics within the club but I know that they have a new coach.
“But I’ve also seen five of six games and they play exciting. That’s an incredible turnaround in such a short period of time.”
Koopmeiners admits it will be a surreal experience running out at a near soldout Celtic Park.
The midfielder – who insists he will not be distracted by transfer talk linking him to Italian side Atalanta – said: “I’ve heard there will be a lot of people in the stadium and that will be incredible to play on front of them.
“I really like the step from going from no fans to this. I have heard there could be 50,000 people there and you have to enjoy that.”
Alkmaar will start with second-choice keeper Hobie Verhulst in goal despite recently making Danish stopper Peter Vindahl their new No.1.
Swedish international winger Jesper Karlsson, rated at £7m, is suspended.