Hoops hurt has Djurdjic fired up to prove point
HAD history been a little kinder, then Malmo striker Nikola Djurdjic might well have become accustomed to exhibiting his talent at Celtic Park.
Two years ago, t he Serb emerged as a transfer target for Neil Lennon following an outstanding performance in a pre-season friendly.
But just as he was getting excited about the prospect of moving to Parkhead, a serious knee injury put paid to those hopes.
Painfully cruel as that was, it is not the only Celtic-related blow Djurdjic has suffered in his career. Twelve months earlier, he had been part of the Helsingborgs side defeated in the Champions League play-off round.
It would, then, be something of an understatement to suggest Djurdjic is eager to put on a quality performance at Parkhead this evening.
With Markus Rosenburg suspended, the 29-year- old will have the key attacking role in a Malmo side c onfi dent in t heir chances of reaching the group stage.
‘There was definitely big interest in me from Celtic,’ recalled Djurdjic. ‘ I was at Greuther Furth when we played a friendly against them in Germany and I scored a couple of goals.
‘They had their best team but we won 6-2 and I scored two goals and had two assists. It was one of my best matches.
‘The problem was that I picked up an ACL (cruciate) injury, so I was out for six months and that ended any chance of a move.
‘You never know what would have happened if I hadn’t picked up the injury.
‘In football, I always say that, until you actually sign on the dotted line, then you never know — but there was a big interest, for sure.
‘I was interested in a move to Celtic at t hat t i me. They contacted my agent. It would be nice to show the fans of Celtic why they were interested in me before — and hopefully what they missed out on.’
Djurdjic was unable to lay a glove on Celtic the last time he faced them in this competition. He started both legs for Helsingborgs, but was left frustrated as a pair of 2-0 defeats saw the Parkhead club cruise into the Champions League proper.
‘I played against Celtic with Helsingborgs and my memories are of one really, tough physical team that played with a lot of emotion on the field,’ recalled Djurdjic. ‘I remember they had a really good team three years ago, with Georgios Samaras in top form.
‘ I believe I have more of a chance of beating Celtic now than I did with Helsingborgs. Losing to Celtic back then was one of the biggest disappointments of my career. When you are denied the chance to play in the Champions League, it’s always a blow but maybe this is a chance for me to put that right.
‘I can’t compare that Celtic team to this one because I don’t know them so well now. I know some of the players and the style they play and, as I said, I think we have more chance than we did with Helsingborgs.
‘Mikael Lustig is a very good player with good offensive qualities. Stefan Johansen I know of in Norway and Virgil van Dijk, of course. They have their qualities.
‘It’s great to be in Scotland and we’re all excited about this tie. It’s going to be fun. I think because it’s so early in the season for Celtic, it is hard to predict how they are going to play.
‘We don’t know how far away they are from their peak but, for us, our season is well under way, so we will give it our absolute best.
‘I think we have a good chance and, hopefully, we get a goal in Glasgow.’
Djurdjic is a favoured player of Malmo coach Age Hareide, who was also in charge of the Helsingborgs side in 2012. A reunion was confirmed when the striker agreed to move to Sweden on loan from Bundesliga side Augsburg last month.
‘ I get confidence from the coach,’ insisted Djurdjic. ‘I know he trusts me and I go on to the pitch with another mentality. You know that you are important for the team.
‘You know that the team is there for you and we have played some really good matches, especially at home.
‘I like to fight and fight. The entire team needs to do so to some extent i n this match, otherwise we will not get a good result.
‘We weren’t good enough in the second half of our league game against Gelfe at the weekend.
‘I have noticed in certain games we have fallen asleep and let the opponents play but we can’t be so up and down in the Champions League.’