The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Among billionaire elite Heat is on for Emery to find winning mix in City of Light
who, obviously there was a focus on his injury past, but this is a great arena for him to play and he is in an environment where he needs that development.
“Once he is fit and trains and plays consistently he is an outstanding talent.
“So it is great news for our squad because we are trying to build and create something here.
“A lot of our players now are tying into longer deals, which is great.
“It is a really exciting period and we have one or two others that we will look at to try to ensure the squad remains as stable as possible while looking to progress at the same time.”
Attacker Leigh Griffiths returns from a calf injury for tonight’s game while loan signing from PSG, Odsonne Edouard, is avail- able to play against his parent club.
Rodgers said: “Leigh’s available, he trained on Sunday and today so he’s fine.
“Moussa Dembele’s just come back so he’s still a little bit away off fitness yet and won’t be available.
“Griffiths was in real good form.
“He’s a wonderful player and one that’s developed over the course of the last 12 months.
“I see him now at this level, he’s been very good and it’s great to have him back.
“His absence gave us the opportunity to play young Odsonne Edouard on Friday against Hamilton and I thought he was very good so it gives us some options with both those players fit, which is great.” Paris St Germain coach Unai Emery has acknowledged the increased pressure on him to succeed in this year’s Champions League, but will not underestimate Celtic in tonight’s opener.
The French side stunned the football world by prising Neymar from Barcelona for £198million, and followed that up by adding teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe for a deal reported to be around £166million.
Those two deals, along with the addition of Dani Alves, have seen the expectation increase on Emery to deliver European success after several frustrating exits.
Emery admitted the stakes were higher this year following a busy summer.
He said: “I know it is a big objective for the club, but we are doing and feeling well, the players are doing well but I know it will be difficult.
“The important thing is to see progress, step by step.
“I know I have a lot of responsibility because I have a lot of good players at my disposal and there are some good teams in the Champions League, and Celtic is one of them.
“We will need to be careful because at home, Celtic put in a lot of intensity.”
He added: “I don’t know (if PSG are favourites for the Champions League), but with the players and quality we have we should get close this year.
“Preparation is everything. We have prepared well all week but we must give Celtic the respect they deserve.
“We are aiming to go far. The atmosphere is incredible and they try to share the pressure together. It will be difficult but we are ready.”
PSG will come up against an in-form Celtic side which is unbeaten in 54 domestic matches, and showed signs of promise in the group stages last year.
Two draws against Manchester City hinted at Brendan Rodgers’ side’s potential – with a 3-3 home draw one of the best matches of the competition – and Emery is under no illusions just how tough it will be in Glasgow.
He said: “It is a great atmosphere here. All the players love to play in this type of game, but the players are used to that level and that type of atmosphere.
“It will be difficult to overcome, but we must try.”