NO BULL... WE’RE A DIFFERENT ANIMAL

Benkovic warns RB Leipzig that Celtic will be much better at Parkhead

CELTIC defender Filip Benkovic has told Leipzig that they can expect to face a different side in Glasgow than they did in Germany.

Brendan Rodgers’ side host the Bundesliga outfit on Thursday evening in a game they need to win if they are to maintain their ambitions of moving into the knockout stages beyond Christmas.

Leipzig beat Celtic 2-0 last month to open up a three-point gap after as many games in Group B but a win for the Parkhead side this week would turn the tables again.

“I think it will be a different game here,” said Benkovic. “The atmosphere is different and the pressure feels different. “We seem more confident on our own pitch. We have the backing of our own support

and the way we have played in the last few games has given us a lot of belief.

“We know that Leipzig are a good team. But I think we have seen enough to feel that we can win the game on Thursday night. It will not be easy for us.

“But we are playing well just now. There are a lot of goals and that always gives you so much confidence as a team.

“I am not trying to think that we need to win the game or anything like that. I think we just need to let the game take care of itself and not put more pressure on ourselves. If we go out and play as we can then I think we can take the three points.”

Benkovic missed the game in Germany because of a slight injury concern and admitted that it is always frustrating to have to watch from the sidelines when the team are under pressure.

“It wasn’t a big injury, more like a small scare so the manager and I thought it was better to be safe,” he explained.

“I always find it hard to watch. It is much easier to play when you feel that you can do something for the team.

“Hopefully I will get that chance on Thursday night.

“We have seen that Leipzig have quality. It is a step up when you go into Europe but we feel that we are ready for that.

“There have been a lot of quality performances in the last few games so if we can take that form with us into the game then we can get what we want.

“The atmosphere at the Rosenborg game was very good. We had to be patient that night before we got our reward and it might be a little bit like that again. Whatever happens we need to believe that we can get the win.”