Red Imps may have to cancel holidays

LINCOLN Red Imps defender Joseph Chipolina admits a historic Champions League win over Celtic would be a dream for the players and a nightmare for their families.

The Gibraltan champions arrive in Glasgow tomorrow for the second qualifying round return leg after recording a shock 1-0 victory at the Victoria Stadium last week.

Lincoln are bracing themselves for an onslaught as Celtic bid to avoid a humiliating European exit.

A tie against either Lithuania’s Zalgiris Vilnius or FC Astana of Kazakhstan awaits the winners — but the third qualifying round ties would clash with family holidays that most of Lincoln’s part-time squad have planned.

Civil servant Chipolina admits prolonging their fairytale journey would come at a cost in more ways than one. The Gibraltar international left-back said: “Most of us did not think we would get past the second round, just like last season. And we have got our holidays booked after this round.

“Most of us have holidays planned with our families for around July 25 or 26, which would be the following week. We even have to take time off work to travel over for the game on Wednesday. The missus is a bit annoyed by that. If we were to get through, it would obviously be a dream come true but we would lose out on our holiday and spending time with the family. We have not really stopped since last season, we have carried on training.

“As a footballer and looking at it from a personal point of view, I want to carry on and that would be a dream come true. But the family will not be too happy. Not only would we not be able to go on holiday now, but we would also lose our money for what we have paid for.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we have to go and do the best as we can, and try to enjoy it. The family understand it, they have to understand it. It is a dream for us as well.”