Source: Daily_Mail
Top Guns! Celtic will sink Arsenal thanks to boss Tony Mowbray, says Shaun Maloney
Shaun Maloney last night revealed how a super confident Celtic believe they can shoot down Arsenal in their Champions League 'Battle of Britain' clash - thanks to new manager Tony Mowbray.
The Parkhead club landed the Gunners for the final hurdle towards a £12million Euro jackpot in a tie that will captivate fans and television audiences north and south of the border.
And despite accepting that the SPL side will be underdogs against Arsene Wenger's multi-talented team, Maloney feels Celtic can repeat Martin O'Neill's epic aggregate victories over Blackburn and Liverpool.
Celtic ended a six-year wait for an away win in Europe against Dynamo Moscow and now the Russian lying in wait for the August 18 first leg at Parkhead and return at the Emirates on August 26 will be Andrey Arshavin.
'Going into the Moscow game was the first time in quite a while in an away tie when there was a widespread belief within the squad that we could do it,' said Maloney.
'I think the majority of us truly felt we'd win in Russia - and the manager instilled that within the squad.
'I'm sure he will feel the same way about facing Arsenal, even though it is the hardest team we could have had in the draw.
'But Tony Mowbray is big on belief and is working on that all the time with us. Even after losing to Dynamo at Parkhead, he was very positive and that kind of approach helped in Moscow.
'Arsenal are a very good side and were fourth in the Premiership last season. They had a terrific run in the second half of the season, as I recall.
'I've seen a bit of their pre-season action on TV and they have been impressive. But these ties always seem to bring out the best in Celtic and, hopefully, we can rise to it as in previous years.
'I was in the squad when we knocked out Blackburn and Liverpool in the Seville season.'
Wenger's side swept aside Rangers with ease last Sunday in a 3-0 canter in the Emirates Cup, 17-year-old Jack Wilshere scoring twice as the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Eduardo also impressed.
'They clearly have a number of talented players and the majority of them are all quick with quick feet,' added Maloney. 'I would imagine that Arshavin will be one of the standout players we will be trying to stop. But we'll take great confidence from beating Dynamo.
'We'll be going in as underdogs against Arsenal, but we will see what pans out. It is obviously going to be a massive occasion.
'We don't want to fear anyone and I am sure our manager will be talking to us about them the closer it comes because, to be fair, we still have Aberdeen to play away from home in the SPL first.'
Boss Mowbray admitted it is a hard draw, and said: 'We will go into the game fully prepared and confident. The attitude and application of the players since I arrived at Celtic has been first class and their ability was there for all to see against Dynamo on Wednesday.
'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.'
He added: 'I have huge respect for Arsene and the job he has done at Arsenal. He has 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.'
