Macari expects Celtic to struggle

Lou Macari believes Artur Boruc and the rest of his back-line have to pull off performances of a lifetime just for Celtic to avoid defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The former United and Hoops star does not expect anything other than an English success on Wednesday night but he does not think it will be as one-sided as many think when Group F gets underway this week.

Macari said: “Boruc is going to have to have a blinder and he and his defenders really need to be at top form and realise that they are up against much better players than in the SPL.

“The back four and the goalkeeper need to produce the games of their lives to get a result. But I’m not so sure that’s going to happen for them.”

He added: “If you look at previous encounters between them then it is not promising for Celtic. Not so long ago United beat Rangers and I got the shock of my life that night at the gap between the two teams.

“That night the gulf was enormous and even though it was 3-0 it could have been five or six. When you weigh up those things you have to say this fixture is going to be exceptionally tough for Celtic.

“But when you look at the Champions League results in recent seasons, and results at the World Cup and throughout the world, it proves anything can happen.

“It gives everybody the opportunity. I saw Arsenal five or six times before Christmas last season and they were absolutely shocking and they got to the Champions League final. The year before Liverpool were similar. They were average in the Premiership and they actually won the Champions League.

“But Celtic have to ride their luck to hold out and everything has to drop for them for a shock.”

United inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Celtic in July – even though Alex Ferguson’s young side were weeks behind the home team in terms of pre-season fitness.

“You have to worry about Celtic,” added Macari. “Although United won up in Glasgow 3-0 it could have been five or six and United were well below strength.”

Even though Macari expects a United win this week, he expects Celtic still to go through in second place.

“I can see United winning the game because they are bang on form but I don’t think it will be a landslide victory by any means,” he said. “I don’t think those travelling supporters from Glasgow will go away too disappointed.

“They will obviously disappointed with the outcome but they won’t be too bothered in the grand scheme of things.

“I do think if they play to their best in the other games then the group is tailor-made for them to go through. The group definitely gives them a chance to go through. I was delighted they were drawn in this group.

“When you look at the other groups they would be tough for Celtic but this is a great draw for them. Forget about the glorious name of Benfica. They are not the team they were and I think Celtic could beat them and FC Copenhagen at Celtic Park and go through in second.

“The draw has been kind to Manchester United and it gives Celtic a real fighting chance.”