Mowbray determined to claim Gunners’ scalp

CELTIC boss Tony Mowbray has vowed to leave no stone unturned as he tries to mastermind a shock Champions League win over Arsenal.

The Bhoys were handed the toughest possible opponents in yesterday’s play-off round draw in Nyon but Mowbray is adamant his side can upset the odds.

A place in the lucrative group stage is at stake in the latest all-British tie in Europe’s premier club competition and new manager Mowbray is determined to grab it.

“We will be doing everything we possibly can to get to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League,” Mowbray said. “The club has had a lot of success in the tournament in recent years and we will try to continue that.”

Mowbray was on Celtic’s training pitch at Barrowfield when news filtered through they had been paired with the Gunners.

He added: “It’s a tough draw for us but everyone at the club is looking forward to two games against one of the top sides in European football. It’s a glamour draw for both clubs and one that will certainly capture the imagination of supporters north and south of the border. We can all look forward to two fantastic European nights.

“I have huge respect for Arsene and the job he’s done at Arsenal. He’s had a lot of success at the club and has built a side that plays the game in the right way.

“They don’t spend the millions on players that other English clubs do, but they play with a real style and always try to entertain. That’s down to Arsene and his philosophies.”

Scotland boss George Burley believes Celtic were handed the “worst possible draw” in their Champions League play-off round tie.

“After seeing Arsenal playing against Rangers, I think it was the worst possible draw. But in the second half Rangers gave them a lot of problems so there is hope there. It promises to be a terrific tie.”

Celtic midfielder Shaun Maloney is looking forward to another trip to the Emirates Stadium in the second leg.

The former Aston Villa player said: “It’s going to be a great game. It is one of the toughest fixtures we could have got but I am looking forward to it.

“We have a few games to go before that but it is quite exciting to be involved. We all believed we could win in Moscow and that’s how it turned out.

“The away win in Europe was far too long in coming and we might need another one if we are to go through.”

However, Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus claims Arsenal will have been just as keen to avoid the Hoops as the Scottish Premier League side were to steer clear of the Gunners.

The other ties in the “non-champions path” were Atletico Madrid against Panathinaikos, Lyon against Anderlecht, Fiorentina against Sporting Lisbon and FC Timisoara against Stuttgart.

“I think there might have been easier ties — with the greatest of respect — for Arsenal to face,” said Venus, whose side sealed their play-off place with victory over Dinamo Moscow in midweek. “They will be just starting their season like us, but we’ve had a lot of games already. We’ve already had a competitive two-match tie and we got through. I think they will be wary of it and I don’t think it’s the game they entirely would have wanted.”

Venus sees weaknesses in Arsene Wenger’s young side which Celtic can exploit when the teams meet competitively for the first time ever on Tuesday week.

“It’s not an impregnable club,” Venus said. “They’re still young, they have got some immaturity at Arsenal – it’s there for all to see. But they are very talented footballers who, on their night, can give anyone in the world a good game.”

Celtic great Kenny Dalglish believes beating Arsenal is not mission impossible for Mowbray’s men.

“They weren’t given much chance when they went to Moscow either and they got a fantastic result there. It was a great start for Tony Mowbray to get through that but Arsenal’s a bit of a step up. It’s going to be difficult game but it’s also going to be difficult for Arsenal.”

Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino was delighted to have avoided Arsenal and Lyon in the play-offs. The Spanish side face Panathinaikos in Greece on August 19 before the return leg in Madrid six days later.

And although Resino admits the draw has been kind to his team, he insists they are still in for a tough test.

“It’s clear that there were two more dangerous rivals,” he said. “Above all we didn’t want to meet either Arsenal or Lyon and moreover we’re playing the second match at home, which is fantastic.”