THE INSIDER
Malmo hoping flop Berget can give them edge for Euro clash
MALMO believe f ormer Celtic f l op Jo Inge Berget can provide the key to knocking the Parkhead club out of the Champions League.
Berget scored just twice for Ronny Deila’s side during an unsuccessful loan spell from Cardiff City last season, but has revived his career since moving to the Swedish champions.
Malmo coach Age Hareide now admits that tapping into Berget’s knowledge of the Celtic squad will be invaluable ahead of the play-off first leg in Glasgow on August 19.
Hareide is confident about victory as he seeks a different outcome from the summer of 2012, when his Helsingborgs side lost to Celtic at the same stage of Europe’s elite competition.
‘This is a fine draw for us against a team we know we can beat,’ insisted the 61-year-old Norwegian.
‘It is also a revenge mission for me. And I plan to speak immediately to Jo Inge and see what he can
From Back Page tell me. He knows Celtic very well after his time on loan there. We are going to find out everything about them thanks to him.’ Hareide will not, however, be picking up the phone to Celtic’s most famous Swede, Henrik Larsson. ‘It was a long time ago that Henrik played for Celtic, so it is not likely that we will ask him,’ he added. ‘But we will have lots of information on them. I watched them on DVD because I knew there was a chance we could get drawn against them and I will probably go to Scotland to watch them.’ Berget was happy to land a reunion with a former club, claiming: ‘This was the draw I had hoped for. Celtic are a good team with great traditions. ‘I know some of the players, so I know what they are good at doing. I believe we have a good chance of beating Celtic.’ Malmo reached the Champions League playoff after a 3-0 home win over Red Bull Salzburg wiped out a two-goal first-leg deficit. Celtic could have been sent to Kazakhstan, Albania, Serbia or Israel in the draw. Assistant manager John Collins was pleased to avoid a significant journey and has urged his players to seize their chance. ‘Malmo must be a decent team given they beat Salzburg 3-0 at home,’ said Collins. ‘We all know Salzburg are a good football team. Malmo will have good, skilful players but we have to believe we can win the tie and qualify — that is our objective. ‘From a travelling perspective, it is not too far. It is a nice place and we will be able to get them watched. Our homework starts now. ‘You have heard me saying it 100 times — the Champions League is the best tournament in the world. We all want to be involved in it. ‘We believe if we play well, as well as what we are capable of, then we can qualify.’ Meanwhile, Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths are both doubts for tomorrow’s Premiership game against Partick Thistle at Firhill, with hamstring and calf problems respectively. Charlie Mulgrew is still out with a groin issue.