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Media conference - Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby
Champions League: No last 16 fear for Celtic, says Johan Mjallby
Assistant manager Johan Mjallby takes great heart from Celtic's defensive solidity ahead of Thursday's draw for the last 16 in the Champions League.
Celtic will meet Manchester United, Malaga, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke or PSG.
"We don't fear anyone because we have taken a lot of confidence from our performances so far," said Mjallby.
"We are improving, especially as a team - we are defending really well and that's what you need."
Celtic finished second behind Barcelona in Group G to reach the knockout phase for the third time.
And manager Neil Lennon has picked out Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund as teams he would like to avoid.
Following a run of six games without a win, Schalke have parted ways with manager Huub Stevens.
Celtic have impressed in the current Champions League campaign
With the Gelsenkirchen side seventh in Bundesliga, Jens Keller, who was the club's U-17 coach, has taken over for the remainder of the season.
However, Mjallby has no preference when it comes to the list of possible opponents.
"We are not going to be the favourites whoever we play," explained the former Sweden international.
"The first target was to get out of the group and were are delighted to have done that.
"At home, we think we can beat anyone. The players know now that they can do something.
"I can see the angle that some supporters and players want a glamour tie against Manchester United.
"But remember they are leading the Premier League and they are a top quality side.
"The only team that is not doing great in their domestic league is Schalke but they are still a very good side.
"They have sacked their manager but there is a long way to go [the ties are in February] and plenty of time to sort that out."
Celtic failed to progress beyond the first match on either of their previous appearances in the Champions League knock-out stages, losing to AC Milan and Barcelona in 2007 and 2008.
The first leg of Celtic's last 16 tie will be played at home on 12/13/19 or 20 February before they travel to their opponents on 5/6/12 or 13 March.
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Comment number 11.
muriscone19th December 2012 - 23:53
@8
I think it's unfair to say "Spartak had a bad game in Moscow". They are clearly normally guff in Europe so they were true to form, ie; they are always guff in Europe! No matter where they play! They played well in the return leg first-half only, they were then rubbish in the second half and it was about time Celtic had some luck, even if it was a soft pen.
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Comment number 10.
U1427783419th December 2012 - 22:35
Like I said
More than a coincidence ADHD bhoy
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Comment number 9.
tomslaford19th December 2012 - 22:20
2 more matches... then it is over bhoooooooooooooooooooys
1967 is a long time agooo
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Comment number 8.
Alan19th December 2012 - 21:53
credit to Celtic for getting this far, but let's be honest barcelona outplayed them in both legs, just couldn't score, it happened with chelsea last season. Benfica were clearly a better team in both games and Spartak had an off game in Moscow and were done by the ref in Glasgow.
Good luck to them regardless they've brought some respect back to Scottish football, just hoping they don't get thumped
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Comment number 7.
mockba19th December 2012 - 19:46
@ 6 Thats a naye. not even on the same island as dear old tom.
Sayin that r u tomsalford? He must be off, sailling on the seas of cheese.
C what youve started
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Comments 5 of 11