Bhoys going Balde-headed for Barca

CELTIC defender Bobo Balde has admitted he was disappointed when his club was paired with Barcelona in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup — because he wanted to play them in the final.

The Guinea international was sent off in last year’s 3-2 final with Porto, which the Bhoys lost 3-2 in extra-time.

Martin O’Neill’s side now face the toughest of barriers in the shape of the famous Catalans, with the first leg at Parkhead on Thursday.

Balde admitted he was relishing the prospect but admitted he wished the game had been an end-of-season showpiece instead.

He said: “I would have loved to have played Barcelona in the UEFA Cup final but we always knew we were going to be paired against a big name when the draw was made because we weren’t seeded.

“Now we have to work hard, keep our focus and try to play as well as we can, but we know it will be a hard game.”

Celtic have been vulnerable away from home this season, losing all three Champions League group fixtures outside Glasgow. They also lost 1-0 in Teplice last week, having done all the hard work in the home leg.

And it is that fearsome home record, which now stretches to 73 unbeaten games in all competitions, that gave Balde hope that Barca could be humbled.

The Hoops have not been beaten in front of their own fans since August 2001 when Ajax won a Champions League qualifier but lost the tie.

Balde said: “It is an absolutely massive one for us but I am confident going into the game.

“We have played a lot of European games over the last few years and we know that we have to stay calm and take it one game at a time.

“I do think that sometimes you play better when no-one expects you to do anything but we know that is going to be difficult.

“We feel confident and it is nice to be taking our undefeated record into the game, but that doesn’t mean much.

“We know that we have to work as hard as we can and play to our best but it is a game we are looking forward to.”