Hoops put on notice as PSG manager looks to seal top spot

Paris St Germain manager Unai Emery intends to secure first place in Group B in their Champions League tie with Celtic tonight.

The free-spending French club has won its first four fixtures, including a 5-0 win at Parkhead on match day one, and Paris have already qualified for the knockout stages along with Bayern Munich, who are three points behind.

PSG will clinch first place in the pool if they win and Bayern do not pick up three points at bottom side Anderlecht – or if they draw and Bayern lose.

The former Sevilla manager is keen to have a seeded spot in the last-16 draw secured at the Parc des Princes before they travel to Munich next month.

Emery, who confirmed midfielder Thiago Motta was out with a knee injury, said: “We want this first position. We want the best performance possible. In order to be first in the group we have to win.

“We have to play well, be aggressive and win the three points

“The first games were good for us and our players have shown that we are committed to winning this competition.

“Celtic are a good team, they have very good players who all play in their respective national teams, they want to win and they are good in the Scottish league.

“I am sure that it is going to be difficult, but we will speak with the players about the importance of the three points.

“We have to play at a high level for 90 minutes.”

PSG have scored 17 goals and conceded none and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is aware that no team has ever gone through a Champions League group stage without conceding.

The 24-year-old Frenchman said: “Not losing a goal would be exceptional, but we want to be first in the group.

“If we can be first without

“Shown that we are committed to winning this competition”

losing a goal it would be wonderful, but we want to win the group.”

Areola revealed his admiration for Celtic’s French striker Moussa Dembele, who also came through the PSG youth academy, although he is three years younger.

He said: “We are following him very closely because I knew him from a very young age.

“He is playing really well with Celtic, he is a quality player.

“If he is in the starting eleven it is because he is a good player and we are very happy when a young Parisian can play at this level.”