Fiery trip to Belfast doesn’t scare us
JONNY HAYES last night insisted Celtic will be prepared for every scenario after landing a potential Champions League qualifier against Linfield in Belfast.
After completing his £1.3million move from Aberdeen, the 29-year-old is adamant the Hoops will relish the challenge of performing in the powder keg atmosphere at Windsor Park – if the Northern Irish champions progress past SP La Fiorita from San Marino.
Hayes was part of a Dons side which scraped through a Europa League qualifier against Luxembourg’s Fola Esch last summer and believes that experience is a fresh reminder of the perils of underestimating continental minnows.
The winger said: “If we do have to play there then we will be clued up on what to expect but it will be incomparable to what it’s like at Celtic Park for a Champions League match.
“It will be a good game if they do go through and we’ll look forward to it.
“You always want to play in decent football grounds and atmospheres.
“My old Aberdeen team-mate Niall McGinn talks about the atmosphere at Windsor Park where he plays with the national team.
“I know from playing in Europe with Aberdeen over the last few years that there isn’t one easy game.
“I remember playing a team who were a so-called minnow from Luxembourg and we took a 3-1 lead over there and lost the game.
“They hit the post in the final minute and that would have put them through on the away goals.
“That shows that there are no easy games.
“Whoever plays against Celtic will always raise their game. People come with thoughts of turning us over and we have to be prepared for that. If we get to the group stage I’ll look forward to it but it’s still a long way away.”
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have been accused of looking through the bargain rail for signings.
“But unless my memory is playing tricks then that is exactly what Celtic have been doing for the last few seasons – acting as a feeder club for my local team Southampton.
“I applaud the Rangers board with the manager finally getting financial support and I just hope they push the boat out a wee bit further and get Graham Dorrans and Jamie Walker.”
said: “Credit to Caixinha for identifying the fact Rangers were weak at the back last season and replacing the central defenders with reasonable quality.
“But we will have to wait and see the calibre of the other foreign imports so it would be invaluable for Rangers to get in quality Scots such as Dorrans and Walker.”
Rangers hammered Northern Irish outfit Coleraine in a friendly at Murray Park and Eoin Bradley gave Record Sport the lowdown on Caixinha’s new-look side.
said: “Coleraine’s Bradley said he got behind Fabio Cardoso. I’m pleased he got his 10 minutes of fame.
“He didn’t mention the 3-0 hammering by Linfield in the Irish Cup Final!”
Hibs are preparing for life in the top flight again but will be without Jason Cummings after he sealed a switch to Nottingham Forest.
And said: “Hibs have allowed Cummings to go on the cheap.
“They knocked back a £1.7million bid from Peterborough and just a year on have sold him for £1m. It doesn’t make sense.”
said: “I’m a bit disgruntled St Mirren are signing players from Albion Rovers and East Fife, with all due respect to those clubs.
“At the same time we’ve let an ex-Premiership player in Kyle Hutton go. He’s had experience in Europe and we should have kept him.” CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY FROM 11 TILL 12 NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk