OUT OF TIE? WIT YOU ON ABOUT NOW
AZ ALKMAAR star Dani de Wit has warned Celtic their Europa League tie is far from over ahead of next week’s return.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have carved out an impressive 2-0 first-leg lead thanks to an excellent display in Glasgow.
But the Dutch club insist they will be able to hit back against the Hoops and will use a free weekend granted by league bosses to rest up and get ready to mount a comeback at AFAS Stadion next Thursday night.
Midfielder de Wit said: “We are all disappointed with the result because we hoped for a better scoreline.
“But even at 2-0 none of us think it’s over because we still have the second leg to come. We believe that we have goals in us.
“We have scored enough goals in pre-season and we have guys who can score.
“We know we can do it. We created two massive chances in Glasgow and didn’t take them. That could have changed the tie.” And AZ boss Pascal Jansen is adamant there is a long way to go in the battle to reach the group stage, with his side having made it last season after getting to the last 32 the campaign before.
Jansen, whose side lost their league opener six days ago, said: “The rest this weekend will do us a lot of good. Remember we have Jesper Karlsson back after suspension for the second leg. He is a player who can score and create chances.
“I actually thought we gave a good account of ourselves in a special atmosphere in Glasgow.
“I know we can score goals. I’m confident about the return leg back home.
“In Alkmaar we have to make sure we score that first goal. Then it gets even more exciting.
“A 2-0 defeat used to be a bad result but with the abolition of the away goal, you can say it’s a more even tie.”