Lustig ready for Euro adventure

16 September 2013 18:31

Defender Mikael Lustig feels Celtic are in a stronger position going into this season's Champions League group campaign following their exploits last year.

Celtic kick off their Group H offensive against AC Milan in the San Siro on Wednesday with the knowledge that they can upset the odds, given they qualified for the last 16 ahead of Spartak Moscow and Benfica with the help of a famous home win over Barcelona.

They have since lost the spine of their outfield team but Lustig feels they have a stronger squad as well as being more experienced.

When asked what Celtic had learnt from the previous campaign, Lustig said. "That everything is possible. Last year when we looked at the group, no-one believed in us.

"We knew it was going to be really tough but there was only one game we didn't feel we played really well, Benfica away, but still we were really close to getting a point.

"We won at Spartak and we were really close to taking points at the Nou Camp as well so of course our confidence is maybe better than it was last year. It's going to be really hard but we have faith."

Most observers would agree Celtic have an even harder task this season in a section that has been dubbed the "group of champions".

Barcelona, Milan and Ajax have been European champions 15 times between them with Celtic the first British team to lift the trophy in 1967. But Lustig fears no-one.

"Last year was unbelievable," he said. "We did really well in the group and hopefully we can do it this year as well.

"It will be really fun. Of course we are underdogs like last year but there are going to be some massive games.

Source: PA