Ferguson: Celtic a threat despite poor away record
Reuters - Monday 20 October 2008, 15:32
MANCHESTER - Celtic will provide
a stern test for European champions Manchester United on Tuesday
despite their dismal away record in the competition, United
manager Alex Ferguson said.
Ferguson said the regional rivalry between the English and
Scottish champions would ensure a pulsating Group E clash at Old
Trafford.
United boast a 16-match unbeaten home run in the competition
while Celtic have lost 17 of their last 18 away games in the
Champions League.
"You can say it's a local derby. It's Scotland-England, but
Scottish and English have the same mentality and both teams will
have a go," Ferguson told reporters on Monday.
"That's in the nature and it's in Celtic's history. They are
not going to sit back. It will be an open game and it will be a
good game.
"We won't get carried away simply because our home record is
good and Celtic's away record is bad."
Two years ago Celtic gave United a major fright at Old
Trafford where they took the lead before going on to lose 3-2.
The Scottish Premier League leaders will be missing key
attackers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras
through injury but Ferguson said United were wary of Shunsuke
Nakamura's threat from set-pieces.
The Japanese international scored from freekicks both at Old
Trafford and in Glasgow when Celtic won 1-0 there in 2006.
"We recognise Nakamura is an exceptional talent at
set-pieces. I would be very surprised if we lost a goal again
like that having discussed it so many times since then. There
have been a few rockets given out," said Ferguson.
The United manager is toying with the idea of leaving out
one of his potential match-winners with Nani possibly replacing
Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting line-up.
Ronaldo is feeling his way back to full form and fitness
following surgery on an ankle injury and Ferguson may rest the
Portugal international.
Patrice Evra will be absent for United with a hamstring
injury, joining Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Michael
Carrick on the sidelines.
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