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Champions League: Celtic 'stronger' for latest tilt, says Lustig

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments249

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig

Celtic are unfazed at being tagged Champions League "underdogs", according to Mikael Lustig.

Neil Lennon's side get their Group H campaign under way against AC Milan in the San Siro on Wednesday.

And Swedish defender Lustig is relishing the chance to lock horns with Milan, Barcelona and Ajax.

"It will be really fun. Of course we're underdogs like last year but they're going to be massive games," he said.

Celtic, who progressed to the last 16 from a group comprising Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow last season, have lost Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Kelvin Wilson to English clubs.

However, Lustig believes the current squad are more than capable of holding their own in Group H.

"We lost three good players but I think we have a better squad this season overall," the 26-year-old said.

"We have lost big players like Hoops, Victor and Kelvin were really good for us last season.

"But I think the whole squad is stronger. We are a really young squad as well and everyone is one year older as well."

Teemu Pukki, Derk Boerrigter, Steven Mouyokolo, Virgil van Dijk, Amido Balde, and Nir Biton have bolstered the squad.

Lustig said their display away to Benfica in last season's Champions League campaign was the one game where they did not feel they played to their capabilities.

"We won at Spartak and we were really close to taking points at the Nou Camp as well so of course our confidence is maybe better than it was last year," he added.

"It's going to be really hard but we have faith."

Lustig said Celtic would aim to secure points on the road in Group H, with the three fixtures in Glasgow certain to whet the appetite.

"Especially when we're playing at Celtic Park, we know we can beat any team," he added.

"Last year was the same. We're not going to be happy to play some decent football but go back to Glasgow with zero points."

The Swedish defender insists the pressure is on Milan ahead of the clash in the San Siro.

"If they don't manage to take three points they're going to look on it as a massive failure," he said. "But we have everything to win and it's quite nice to have it that way."

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249 comments

  • Comment posted by KING WUM, at 14:46 17 Sep 2013

    OK this is getting boring.

    Let's spice things up a bit.

    If you think the sevco fans are jealous of the Celtic press up.

    If you are a sad jealous sevconite press down.



    Let battle commence.

  • Comment posted by U14747216, at 19:52 16 Sep 2013

    Instead of the group of death, this is the group of European Legends..

    Celtic have a good chance on Wed of coming away with something and good luck to them. Most fans in Scotland will wish them well, however, grudging some of that may be.

    Very very difficult group for a team with Celtic's resources and people should appreciate that..they won't but they should:)

  • Comment posted by U15475339, at 19:43 16 Sep 2013

    Nice to be invited onto the dance floor once again.
    Makes it that little bit more special when you see the pain some others are going through.
    Anything 3rd and above would be a positive outcome. Difficult but far from impossible.

  • Comment posted by benjic, at 19:41 16 Sep 2013

    even if we finish fourth it would be no disgrace... hard a group as could ask for - the 4 english clubs would find this group very tough also

    laugh at the sevco fans coming on having a go- u think in their state they would keep quiet

    id rather get beat 4-0 off milan than be playing qos in the harry ramsdens cup.

  • Comment posted by U15653318, at 12:23 17 Sep 2013

    Play as a team, defend & attack as a unit.....BOOM......every chance of taking at least a draw......respect from Arsenal.

  • Comment posted by lolsevco, at 06:49 17 Sep 2013

    95. Are you serious or is it the medication your'e on?

  • Comment posted by lolsevco, at 06:37 17 Sep 2013

    92 and various other immature posts, why concern yourself with the Hoops? Has that new club not got a big cup tie tonight in Dumfries? I take it that the 4-0 prediction is a home win for QOS. That would be 2 years on the trot getting pumped by the mighty Doonhamers.
    Sevco..... they just keep giving.

  • Comment posted by KING WUM, at 01:24 18 Sep 2013

    OK here's the clue

    There are only 3 people on here just now

    And fortuna you have a score of plus 3

    So unless you are voting for yourself then there is a ghost on here

    Ooooooohhhhhhhh

    Eooooouuughhhhh

    Woooooooo. Oo ooo pooh

    Aaaghhh

  • Comment posted by U15701040, at 07:06 17 Sep 2013

    lolsevco...in my opinion,
    this guy is a spotty adolescent who is a wanabee wum, but...
    He can't use the english language very well and knows nothing about football.
    He is best ignored or scolded like all naughty children.
    (But,if he is an adult... you're correct about the medication!)
    He is just an attention seeker.

  • Comment posted by mactom, at 22:35 16 Sep 2013

    It is just great to see CL football again after last year, play against the best in Europe and LEARN so much, we all know that the game in Scotland is not what it used to be, but for CFC to be carrying the honours and competing with the LEGENDS in Europe it is fantastic. I watched Southampton v West Ham yesterday, just a boring as some SPL games in recent years.

  • Comment posted by KING WUM, at 01:13 18 Sep 2013

    @204 yeah OK but don't take her into the conservatory with a candlestick

    She has a 5/1 chance of being a murderer and she's got avdodgy knee after a rough tackle from Neal cooper the blond poodle of the granite city.

  • Comment posted by weeMartian, at 12:19 17 Sep 2013

    I see the ablutophobes are out in force as usual. Cmon the hoops ! Do Scottish football proud !

  • Comment posted by lolsevco, at 10:49 17 Sep 2013

    109 What is it you Dodge?

    I would imagine all forms of hygiene.

  • Comment posted by Socialism is the only answer, at 17:55 16 Sep 2013

    @1 Ha Ha, oh the pain, the jealousy never mind the cold of Dumfries.

    Lustig is correct, we don't have anything to fear from AC Milan I think a draw is probable, a win possible and a defeat unthinkable.

  • Comment posted by U15835022, at 22:42 18 Sep 2013

    you just will not listen, Millwall London Scottish is the future, Basle don't scare them. one lion= plenty much, cushty bonjour

  • Comment posted by U15835022, at 01:11 18 Sep 2013

    I think I know what it is, all my life I have had to listen to rangers "fans" drivel friends family work, most have never been near ibrox or my home town team as they should have been. I have had barneys with celtic fans even whacked with a 7 iron on the golf course but they can take it all I ever get from the other lot is a sare heid. so moderator who do you support.

  • Comment posted by KING WUM, at 00:54 18 Sep 2013

    Green white and mustard.

    Close enough

    Then there's Mrs peacock professor plum and miss scarlet.

    Fat sally can be professor plum

    Ian currant as miss scarlet

    Him that used to be a coach at Celtic can be Mrs peacock

    OK guys roll the dice

    Fortuna d your first

  • Comment posted by U15835022, at 00:26 18 Sep 2013

    so I say something about disliking west ham and state that millwall was started by scots and my comment vanishes. Am I allowed to dislike WHU and have a soft spot for MFC? I would like to know please, I really don't want to start taking screen shots of every comment, offensive and sectarian stuff can hang about for 10 mins but Im off sharp shoot??

  • Comment posted by KING WUM, at 00:18 18 Sep 2013

    Drawkabs likes her. Clean kangapants daily.

    I much prefer colonel mustard.

  • Comment posted by KING WUM, at 23:52 17 Sep 2013

    Tonights weather forecast

    Easterly winds blowing at gale force over Cheshire.


    Look out for flying smiling cats

    And Anthony stokes is the king.

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