This match won’t decide Norway No 1, says Hariede

AGE HAREIDE insists his Ch a mp io n s League showdown with Ronny Deila should not be viewed as a contest to determine the best Norwegian manager.

Much has been made of the rivalry between Hareide, 61, and the Celtic boss, who is 22 years his junior, in the build-up to tonight’s play- off first leg.

When both were working in their homeland, Deila’s Stromsgodset held the upper hand in meetings with Hareide’s Viking Stavanger.

But the veteran Malmo coach (below) insists only the European aspirations of their current clubs matter when they go head-to-head again at Parkhead.

‘Who is the best Norwegian coach?’ Hareide pondered. ‘I think you have to look for the best results.

‘We have two old men back home in Norway in Egil Olsen and Nils Arne Eggen, who have a lot of trophies. Now? I don’t know.

‘This is not a match between Norway and Norway. It’s a game between a Scottish side and a Swedish side. To me, it doesn’t matter. There is no prestige. Ronny has many years ahead of him. I have many years behind me.

‘The only thing that matters is the eagerness to get Malmo back into the Champions League now we know it is possible. Last year, only myself, my staff and our supporters believed. It is much easier to get going now. And we will get going tomorrow evening.

‘Ronny has done a lot in a short period of time. He did a fantastic job with Stromsgodset and learned his trade in a good way. Winning the Norwegian title against teams that were stronger economically was a great achievement.

‘He has done a really good job at Celtic because when you come into this culture and a club of this size, it is very difficult. You don’t get much time. The fans are impatient and everyone wants results. Celtic is all about winning. It has always been that way.’

Hareide admitted he was happy to be in Glasgow for the first leg, believing a tight result will give every chance for progression given Malmo’s strength in Swedbank Stadion.

He is adamant the respective squad personnel are well matched despite a glut of changes at the Swedish champions over the summer.

‘It means a lot to start away,’ added Hareide. ‘I think it’s much better to play the second leg at home. I think most coaches would want that.

‘Would I be disappointed with a draw here? Absolutely not. To leave Celtic Park with a draw would be very good.

‘I think Celtic can defend better than Salzburg (who Malmo defeated in the previous round) so we don’t want a situation where they could just concentrate on being defensively disciplined in the second leg.

‘I know Celtic have international players but we have a Swedish right- back and Celtic have a Swedish right-back. Both in the senior international team.

‘Johan Niland played i n the Champions League for FC Copenhagen, Kari Arnason is one of the key players in Iceland, our left-back plays in the Peru national team.

‘Oscar Lewicki was one of the best players in the recent Under-21 tournament, Jo Inge Berget has played in the Norway national team, he has played here, been at Cardiff and Heerenveen.

‘Nikola Djurdjic and Vladimir Rodic are two more. I don’t know what Celtic team will play but the teams are very equal.’

Berget returned to Celtic Park to j oined Hareide at the official pre-match conference, with his beard forming an unlikely centrepoint to some of the questioning from Swedish media.

The ex-Parkhead loanee joked that he hoped his proud growth of facial hair would give him the power to overcome his former team-mates. ‘My beard? It’s nothing special,’ said Berget, expected to play on the left wing for Malmo. ‘I had a beard before and it’s grown longer now. ‘Maybe it can give me some strength but it’s just to look the part. ‘It’s good to be back here. I’m looking forward to the game and hopefully we will make the best of it. ‘I enjoyed the first bit of my time at Celtic. I started OK but didn’t play much after the first few months. ‘ My two goals here on my home debut ( against Dundee United) is a fond memory.

‘I hope to be able to do that again.’