‘SALZBURG WILL BE GOING FOR A WIN’

HEIMO Pfeifenberger, the former Austria striker who played for Salzburg against Inter Milan in the 1994 Uefa Cup final, has warned Celtic his old club will go all out for victory at Parkhead on Thursday.

Salzburg booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League when they defeated Leipzig 1-0 at home in their penultimate Group B match last month.

While the Red Bull Arena club, who reached the semi-final of the competition last season before being knocked out by Marseille after extra time, don’t need anything from the game in Glasgow, Brendan Rodgers’ side must draw or win to progress to the knockout rounds or hope Leipzig draw or lose to Rosenborg at home.

But Pfeifenberger knows Salzburg manager Marco Rose will want his men to maintain their 100- per- cent record in Scotland. The 51-year-old, who helped Rapid Vienna knock Aberdeen out of the Uefa Cup in the first round in 1989, feels Celtic are in for a tough evening.

“Salzburg are a very good, young team,” he said. “They have talented players and a strong winning mentality. They also have an excellent young coach in Marco Rose.

“Their goal is to be in the Champions League next year and I think it is one they will finally achieve given how well they have performed in the Europa League this season.

“I am sure they will put their strongest team out against Celtic even though they have already qualified for the knockout rounds. Marco Rose wants to win every game and won’t rest players.”

But Pfeifenberger added: “Celtic are also a good team. They have a chance. I think they will be able to get a point and go through themselves if they perform to their best.”