Marcelino: We must not relax

Valencia manager Marcelino has warned his side that they cannot afford to relax against Celtic at the Mestalla tonight. The Spanish club are 2-0 up following an impressively comfortable first leg in Glasgow and odds-on to reach the last 16.

But Marcelino, pictured, speaking through an interpreter at the club’s training ground, stressed how keen he was to have his players focused on another good performance.

He said: “Being relaxed is not good, ever. The team’s mindset should be to win, no matter what happened in the previous match. We are going to try any way we can to convince the players that maximum effort, maximum concentration is the way to achieve a good result which is to be in the next round.

“All matches are important. We cannot relax or think that everything is already done. We want to win again.

“Celtic have a clear way to play, a clear philosophy. If they could not do it more effectively in Glasgow, it was because of the good job from an organisation and commitment point of view from us. Also, we scored at important times in the game.

“Before the first match, we felt the first game would be dangerous and difficult but, if it was not, it was because of the wonderful job of our players. But it is not decided.

“We have to have the utmost respect for Celtic. We don’t want any surprises.”