Source: Team_Talk
Gutman plays down hot reception
Hoops manager Tony Mowbray and skipper Gary Caldwell both made reference to the temperatures in Tel Aviv, claiming it might have an influence on the Group C opener.[LNB]However, Gutman played down the issue, saying: "Our best game was in Sweden against IFK Gothenburg in the third qualifying round, when it was 15 degrees and raining - it helped us and we won 3-1.[LNB]"Teams are playing in the same stadium and on the same pitch, so basically I'm not giving it too much thought."[LNB]Caldwell claimed on Wednesday that the Parkhead club, who dropped down to UEFA's revamped second-tier tournament by losing to Arsenal in the Champions League play-offs, were potential winners of the competition.[LNB]However, the Hapoel boss believes Group C opponents Hamburg, currently leading the German Bundesliga, are probably the best side in the section leaving his team, Celtic and Rapid Vienna fighting for second place.[LNB]"Before we start, Hamburg is the best team in the group," he said.[LNB]"But you never know in football, and who knows how it will finish in this group?[LNB]"Celtic are a good team, a club with a lot of experience and a club that plays attacking football, as we even saw in the Champions League play-off games against Arsenal.[LNB]"But Hamburg have an advantage over the other three clubs.[LNB]"I think we have a 50-50 chance of winning tonight but you never know."[LNB]Gutman reiterated his thorough approach to the match by adding: "I sent my assistant to watch Celtic's game against Dundee United on Saturday and we saw both games against Arsenal.[LNB]"They attack from all areas, (Andreas) Hinkel from the right and (Daniel) Fox from the left, they have technical players like (Shaun) Maloney and (Scott) Brown and (Scott) McDonald impressed against Dundee United. So we know all about them."[LNB][LNB] Hapoel Tel Aviv v Celtic. Click here to bet.
