Source: Team_Talk
Mowbray ready for Arsenal rematch
Celtic's 2-0 loss to Arsene Wenger's star-studded side in the first leg at Parkhead last Tuesday night has all but ended the Hoops' Champions League aspirations for another season.
Despite losing to a defected William Gallas goal and an own goal by Celtic skipper Gary Caldwell, a clear gulf in class between the two sides was revealed and accepted by most at Parkhead, including Mowbray.
Barring a miracle at the Emirates, Celtic will drop down to the Europa League but the Hoops' boss is still confident that his players can take something from the second leg.
"We will not talk about Arsenal until Sunday," Mowbray said.
"But the players know that to a large extent, for long spells, they more than held their own against a team that, being realistic, could win the Champions League.
"Arsenal are not a 'no-hoper' of a team, they are a top, top side who got to the semi-final of the Champions League last year.
"I think our players felt hard done by, with the nature of the goals that we conceded.
"But they are an exceptional group of players with a strong mentality and we will take the positives out of the performance against a very good side."
Mowbray will have to shuffle his squad at the Emirates as midfielder Landry N'Guemo is suspended after picking up his second booking of the tournament in the first game at Parkhead, following a yellow card against Dinamo Moscow in the previous qualifying round.
The Celtic boss surprised many on Tuesday by dropping Scott McDonald and new signing Marc-Antoine Fortune for Georgios Samaras supported by Aiden McGeady.
The Australian international, however, is likely to start in London with Mowbray returning to a more basic 4-4-2 formation.
The Celtic boss revealed that Stephen McManus and Barry Robson are back in full training but neither will be in contention for the trip to London.
McManus has recovered from a knee injury while his Scotland team-mate has overcome a groin complaint.
