Gerkens so sure best is yet to come

ANDERLECHT midfielder Pieter Gerkens last night warned Celtic his side are saving their best performance of the season for Glasgow. The Belgian champions warmed up for their trip to Parkhead in tomorrow’s Champions League Group B showdown with a 2-1 win at Lokeren. Gerkens grabbed their opener before one-time Celtic target Henry Onyekuru netted the clinching strike after Ari Skulason had restored parity from the penalty spot. The Brussels club need a huge upset to claim third place and deprive Celtic of a Europa League spot — they must win by at least three goals in Scotland. But Gerkens has not ruled out a footballing miracle. ‘We really should have scored a few more goals at Lokeren,’ he insisted. ‘We weren’t sharp enough in front of goal but, hopefully, we are saving that for Celtic. ‘We are encouraged by the amount of chances we created — we could have won by five goals — and if we can do that in Glasgow, too, then we at least have a chance.’ And veteran defender Olivier Deschacht has also refused to give up on their chances of grabbing an unlikely victory. He said: ‘We know what we have to do — win 3-0 and we are through. ‘It’s not impossible because Celtic did it in our place and we think we have improved a lot since that first game. ‘I am 37 years old and I have seen it all in football. These things can happen. ‘For me, I want to play every week and I can’t wait to go and play in Glasgow. It will be a terrific atmosphere.’