Celts will progress, says ex-Dons keeper
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CELTIC were today tipped to win their opening Champions League clash against Danish side Aalborg with ease tonight.
That’s the verdict of former Dons keeper David Preece, who now plays in Denmark for league leaders OB Odense.
Gordon Strachan’s side kick-off their European bid against Bruce Rioch’s men looking for an opening victory at Parkhead.
The Celts will also face European champions Manchester United and Spanish cracks Villarreal after being drawn in Group E.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already predicted both his United side and the Hoops will progress.
Preece is certainly confident Celtic will get off to a flying start.
“Aalborg aren’t the team they were last year,” said Preece.
“They’ve lost a few of their better players and have suffered an indifferent start to the season.
“American defender Danny Califf left to join rivals FC Midtjylland and he’s been missed.
“Swedish striker Rade Prica has also moved on and joined Sunderland for £2million which has left a gap in their team.
“Aalborg are ninth in the league after seven games, so haven’t started that well.
“If Celtic are going to have to watch anyone then it will be strikers Marek Saganowski and Jeppe Cruth, who are dangerous.”
Preece reckons home advantage will also serve Celtic well tonight.
He used to marvel at the Parkhead crowd when he visited the impressive arena during his spell in the SPL.
But the 32-year-old believes the atmosphere is even more intimidating for European ties.
He added: “They show quite a lot of Champions League matches in Denmark.
“When the Celtic fans burst into full voice with their rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, even the Danish commentators and summarisers are stunned into silence.
“The Aalborg players will never have experienced anything like it.
“They could be sucked in by the whole occasion with the match simply passing them by.”
Aiden McGeady, Paul Hartley, Shunsuke Nakamura and Andreas Hinkel all missed the weekend SPL victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was suspended for the Well clash and missed training to attend the birth of his first child.
But all five are expected to play some part against Aalborg tonight.
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