Petrov expects tough test

Celtic star Stilian Petrov claims tonight’s Champions League showdown against Anderlecht will be every bit as tough as their Group A opener with Bayern Munich.

The Belgian side have been hit by an injury crisis as they look to build on their solitary point in the Stade Constant Vanden Stock.

Celtic, on the other hand, put their heartbreaking defeat in the Olympic Stadium behind them with an impressive triumph over much-fancied Lyon in their last European outing.

But the memory of Munich still reminds them of the bad times and Petrov believes there could be a repeat if his team-mates are not at their best.

“I don’t really know about Anderlecht or the problems they have had,” said the Bulgaria international.

“But in the Champions League every game is hard.

“We know they need to win to get themselves in the group and this will be as hard a game as any.

“But we also want to win the game and are full of confidence with our recent results, but we know this game is going to be different than our last games.

“We were unlucky against Bayern Munich having played so well and I think if we play like we did in our last four games we should get something out of the game.”

Alan Thompson, Chris Sutton and Stanislav Varga have recovered from weekend injury problems and trained last night to prove they are ready to take on Anderlecht.

But O’Neill looked far from happy with the news that Austrian referee Fritz Stuchlik was the same man who awarded a controversial penalty against Scotland in the Euro 2004 qualifier away to Lithuania.

He penalised Celtic’s Jackie McNamara because he “heard something”, and an incredulous O’Neill said: “That’s a bit disconcerting if that’s the case. He’s the official and I am sure he will hear a few noises.”