Red Imps assistant ready for a cauldron

LINCOLN Red Imps assistant manager Mick McElwee has already experienced a packed-out Celtic Park after celebrating Joe Ledley’s Old Firm winner five years ago. Hoops supporter McElwee’s agenda will be entirely different on Wednesday evening, however, when he will be part of the Imps’ dugout team attempting to mastermind one of European football’s greatest upsets.

The Gibraltan part-timers take a 1-0 lead to Glasgow for the Champions League second qualifying round clash after Lee Casciaro inflicted an embarrassing first-leg defeat on Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers’ debut in the British Overseas Territory last Tuesday.

McElwee, who guided Lincoln to 10 league titles before stepping back two years ago, admits he will have a good idea of what to expect at Parkhead.

He said: “I’m a lifelong Celtic fan and the last game I was at at Celtic Park was an Old Firm derby in the league against Rangers in 2011. Joe Ledley scored the winning goal with a header from a corner.

“I’m suspecting that there might be a few more in the stadium on Wednesday than otherwise there might have been if the result had gone to plan in Gibraltar.

“The crowd will be a factor, that’s for sure – they will be geeing them up.

“They have the team and the squad and if Leigh Griffiths turns up and they play to form, they’d expect to get through. It’s natural that would be their viewpoint on it.

“It’s going to be tremendously difficult for us but we’ve put ourselves in an interesting position.”

McElwee admits Tuesday’s memorable win has put Lincoln, who