Quinn confident of competing in Europe

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn believes the Parkhead club can face the Champions League group stage with renewed confidence after their exploits in Europe last season.

The Hoops must face Bayern Munich, Olympique Lyonnais and Anderlecht in Group A this season to progress to the knock-out stages.

But, after reaching the UEFA Cup final in Seville last May, Quinn is confident Celtic will fear nobody in the tournament.

He said: “It is a very exciting prospect. Bayern Munich are obviously the favourites but the other three teams, including ourselves, look pretty evenly matched.

“One thing that encourages me is that the team have already shown themselves capable of competing and beating good teams in Europe.”

But Quinn has also urged the team to keep fighting in the competition even if they come up against problems in the early stages, with a trip to Bayern Munich to open the group.

Quinn said: “Newcastle lost their opening games last season and still qualified from the group stage so the message must be that whatever happens, we must not lose heart at any stage in this competition.”

Celtic missed out on the Champions League last year when they failed to overcome Swiss underdogs Basle at the qualifying stage.

Although the Hoops went on to enjoy a successful and lengthy run in the UEFA Cup, which took them to the final, O’Neill admits he can’t wait for the atmosphere that only comes from playing in the Champions League.

Their last venture in the tournament was two years ago when they produced decent displays against Rosenborg, Porto and Juventus but narrowly missed out on a place in the second group stage.

O’Neill said: “Bayern Munich are one of the great European teams, with fantastic pedigree in the tournament, and I’m sure the group stages will give rise to some magnificent evenings here at Celtic Park.

“They are hard games for us, no doubt about it, but we are all looking forward to them.

“The draw brought back memories for me of two years ago when we were in the competition for the first time and I hope we can replicate that kind of form.”

Celtic’s progression to this stage of the Champions League was all but secure a fortnight ago when they triumphed 4-0 against MTK Hungaria in Budapest.

The second leg at Parkhead was all but a formality but O’Neill believes Newcastle’s failure to win their place in Europe’s top competition highlighted just how difficult it is to secure a place amongst the continent’s top teams.

He said: “Wednesday seemed to be about waiting for confirmation of the result that we were through and it seemed like a long fortnight.

“Perhaps I didn’t seem as euphoric as I felt because it is just fantastic to be in this tournament again.

“It brings it home to you just how difficult it can be to qualify when you see Newcastle going out to Partizan Belgrade on penalties.

“We are just pleased to be here at this this stage and we are determined to enjoy every minute of it.”