Source: Telegraph
Champions League draw: Arsenal playoff was tie Celtic wanted least says Mark Venus
Celtic and Arsenal were paired together in the Champions League play-off stages at this morning's draw in Nyon. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs in European competition.
"I think realistically it's the draw that we probably wouldn't have taken of the five teams," Venus said. "But we've got to look forward to it, enjoy it and relish it.
"I think it's a great draw for Scottish football. It's going to be a great game, a great European night."
Venus has the utmost respect for the blend of football Arsenal produce and is hoping Arsene Wenger's men will not be on top of their game when they square up for the first leg at Parkhead on either Aug 18/19.
He said: "I think they're a talented bunch of footballers. They're a totally technical team, very patient in the build-up.
"I hope they'll maybe underestimate us. This is a big club, we've got some good footballers, there will be a big crowd.
"But I don't think they'll underestimate us."
Former Arsenal captain and Scotland international Frank McLintock believes Celtic will have the added bonus of a vocal home crowd for the first leg which could hold them in good stead for the return trip to the Emirates on Aug 25/26.
"It will be a cracking tie because the Celtic supporters are so noisy and passionate," he said.
"But if you are going to get anywhere in these types of competitions, we never used to worry about whether we were playing away from home first or not."
McLintock, though, added: "Arsenal will have to be on their toes because Celtic have got a great home record over the years, but it was their away record, until the other day, which was one of the worst in Europe."
Celtic overcame a 1-0 first leg defeat to Dynamo Moscow in third round qualifying to win the second leg in Russia 2-0 on Wednesday evening.
Draw for the European Champions League playoff round:
Non-champions path
Lyon v Anderlecht
Celtic v Arsenal
Timisoara v Stuttgart
Sporting Lisbon v Fiorentina
Panathinaikos v Atletico Madrid
Champions path
Sheriff v Olympiakos
Salzburg v Maccabi Haifa
Ventspils v Zurich
Copenhagen v APOEL
Levski Sofia v Debreceni
First leg ties to be played on Aug 18/19; second leg ties on Aug 25/26.
