GRIFFITHS: ELITE WILL NOT WANT CELTS TRIP
LEIGH GrIffItHs believes Europe’s biggest clubs won’t relish the prospect of a Champions League night at Parkhead.
the scottish champions go in amongst some of the wealthiest clubs in the world in tonight’s group-stage draw.
Yet the scotland international insists Celtic have nothing to fear on home turf.
‘No one will look forward to coming to Glasgow,’ he said. ‘Manchester City thought they could turn us over but they didn’t and we were unlucky not to get the win. then we went down there to take on the English champions and went toe-to-toe with them.
‘Barcelona have been to our place and lost, and last year we made it hard for them after they hammered us over there.
‘We’re looking to progress but we can’t be complacent. the first leg against Astana was close to the complete Euro performance.
‘the second leg left room for improvement.
‘We’ll look to do ourselves justice in the group stage and, hopefully, still be involved come Christmas.’
A player who fancies his chances of scoring against any team, Griffiths is ambivalent over potential group opponents.
spartak Moscow would be the most favourable Pot One draw for football reasons. European champions real Madrid are, by some distance, the most esteemed. Pot two also bristles with wealth and stardust, Griffiths shrugging: ‘We will always land a big gun, but it doesn’t bother me who we get.
‘We didn’t do ourselves justice in the opening game last season in Barcelona but now we’re a year further down the line.
‘We recovered well last year and now we’re a stronger unit.
‘the manager has made a massive difference. He’s brought quality to the club and there is a calmness with people on the ball who can all see a pass.
‘I’m sure the manager will strengthen again but you can see that the boys here can go forward and score goals.
‘Celtic Park is one of the best arenas for Champions League. We get 60,000 through the gates and you look at the names of players who have played there.
‘I get goosebumps just thinking about it.’