Salzburg striker Dabour eager to qualify with a match to spare
MOANES DABOUR admits Salzburg dare not risk coming to Glasgow with Europa League qualification still in the balance.
That’s just one of the reasons why he dismisses talk of a carve-up between the Austrian champions and fellow Red Bull associates RB Leipzig as they meet in the penultimate round of Group B fixtures this Thursday night.
Salzburg have amassed a perfect 12 points from their four matches in the section but, as things stand, need a point to make absolutely certain that they will partake in the knockout stages.
Celtic’s win over Leipzig left both teams on six points and with each still to play Rosenborg and Salzburg, two wins apiece could see the section leaders toppled.
‘We are in a good position,’ By Graeme Croser says Dabour, this season’s top scorer in the Europa League with five goals.
‘We have won all the games, so we thought we had qualified. Now, we realise the situation is different.
‘Honestly, I was surprised that Celtic beat Leipzig. But we also know that Celtic at home is a different game, different football.
‘I didn’t see their game against Leipzig but I am sure they are not going to make it easy for us in Glasgow on the last night, so we need to finish the thing this week.
‘We hope that, by the time we come to Glasgow, we will have qualified. That is our hope.’
The fact Salzburg need a result makes talk of collusion redundant this week but nevertheless there has been some wider discomfort surrounding the two Red Bull clubs being drawn in the same section.
Although UEFA has rules prohibiting dual ownership, an investigation by the governing body decreed that the clubs operated sufficiently independently of each other at boardroom level, even if they both wear strips featuring remarkably similar crests.
While Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has refused to countenance any talk of collusion between the two clubs, Dabour, 26, knows that a level of suspicion remains and meets it head on.
‘It’s totally crazy,’ he states. ‘This is football and nobody thinks like that — I don’t think anybody would think about doing something like that. ‘Of course, both clubs have good relations but there is nothing like that. This week both clubs will try to win the game and I hope we do it. ‘It’s something special for everyone at both clubs. We speak about it sometimes and joke a little bit, but when it comes to the football it is serious. ‘Over 90 minutes, both teams want to win.’ Salzburg won in Germany on the opening night of the competition, with Dabour netting the opener in an entertaining 3-2 victory. ‘Like Celtic, we also pulled off a surprise in that match,’ adds Dabour. ‘Leipzig are a good team, with high-quality players. This week will not be easy for us, even at home, but with our run we are full of confidence.
‘We believe in ourselves and know that a point would be good for us, but we will try to win the game.’
While the Red Bulls go at it in Austria, Celtic will try to secure a first away win at the third attempt in Norway.
Rosenborg are familiar opponents to the Parkhead team but although they currently sit bottom of the table without a point, it took a late Leigh Griffiths header to give Celtic a win on match night one.
Last season it was James Forrest who made the difference, scoring the decisive goal in Trondheim in the Champions League qualifiers and the winger was in unplayable form as his hat-trick earned Scotland a 3-2 Nations League win over Israel in midweek.
Forrest erred in being sent off when he conceded the penalty from which Dabour sealed Salzburg’s 3-1 victory in Austria back in October.
‘I think Forrest is a great player — I love his style,’ he added. ‘In Salzburg, it was difficult for Celtic because we played a good game — even after conceding early.
‘I wish him good luck but I hope he will not score against us in the final game.
‘I have no personal experience of Celtic Park but I have two friends who have played there in Beram Kayal and Nir Bitton.
‘They have told me about the atmosphere there and I am looking forward to it.’
While hoping for better fortune than his national
Hopefully we’re through by the time we go to Glasgow
team enjoyed at Hampden on Tuesday, Dabour does offer his best wishes to Scotland ahead of the remaining qualifiers for Euro 2020.
Assured of a place in the play-offs regardless of what happens when qualifying proper gets underway next year, the striker believes Alex McLeish’s team are equipped to take Scotland to a first major tournament since 1998.
‘We are all disappointed because we started really well in the game and were leading. We played well in the first half hour but then Scotland were the better team.
‘I think they can qualify. Why not? They are a good team, especially at home, so I wish them all the best.’