Dickov holds fears for the Hoops
PAUL DICKOV is delighted to see Celtic back in the Champions League – but he isn’t holding out too much hope for their chances.
Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Moenchengladbach provide the opposition.
Former City striker Dickov is already looking forward to when they travel to Glasgow on September 28, and knows it will be something special.
“Obviously it’s going to be very, very difficult for Celtic,” admits the boyhood Hoops fan.
“Their away form in Europe simply has to improve if they are to have any chance at all.
“It’s great to see them back at this level, though. The players, fans, management – they all need Champions League football purely through the history of the club.
“But nobody is going to expect too much from them and that takes the pressure off a bit.
“They can go out and play a bit more freely, which they will do under Brendan anyway.
“City will find it interesting when they go up to Celtic Park. A lot of the players will never have experienced an atmosphere like that.
“A European night at Celtic is just phenomenal, and I can’t wait to go to that game.
“But the scary one for me is Moenchengladbach. City played them twice last season and won both games, but they were very, very lucky in both games.
“Borussia have strengthened and will be dark horses, but I still expect City and Barca to come through the group.”
Dickov made his name at City and still has a strong allegiance to the club. It’s only early days but he has been very excited by what he has seen so far under Pep Guardiola.
“Everyone will be expecting City to get to the semi-finals again as a minimum,” says Dickov.
“When the owners came in, they said the Champions League was a priority. With the players they have, the squad they have, and especially now the manager they have, they’re in with a great chance this year.
“It makes a difference to have a manager who has won this competition. Already this season there is a big change in how City are playing. That is down to the manager.”