Spanish draw blank ahead of Parkhead date

VALENCIA 0 REAL SOCIEDAD 0

VALENCIA were held to a sluggish goalless draw yesterday ahead of their trip to Glasgow to face Celtic and manager Marcelino admitted his side’s hectic schedule had taken its toll.

The Hoops’ opponents on Thursday looked leggy and weary yesterday as they had to settle for a disappointing home goalless draw with Real Sociedad in the Mestalla.

And Spanish boss Marcelino admitted their run of matches, which included a Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday, had taken their toll ahead of their trip to Scotland.

He said: “When you play a game less than 72 hours after your last one, then it is very obvious you are going to be tired. But we still had a few good chances in the second half and still could have won, although I accept Real Sociedad were better in the first half.

“We now only have another three days before we have to play Celtic and that will be another exhausting game for the players. I would have preferred to give some of my players a rest for the game in Scotland, but that is not possible. We now we face a very difficult match in Glasgow and we need our best players for it.”

Valencia had been in fine scoring form with 10 goals in their last four games, but they could only draw a blank against Sociedad and there was little for watching Hoops scouts to be overly concerned about.

This was their third draw in a row and Sociedad proved yesterday Valencia will give Celtic chances, although the visitors didn’t take them.