Reds better than Bhoys - Utrecht boss

29 September 2010 16:34
FC Utrecht boss Ton du Chatinier knows Liverpool pose far more difficult opposition than the Celtic team they knocked out of the Europa League.[LNB] But the Dutchman, with a little help from the other half of the Old Firm, hopes his side will draw inspiration from playing the five-time European champions.[LNB]Utrecht dispatched Celtic 4-0 on home turf in their Europa League play-off, having been 2-0 down from the first leg at Parkhead.[LNB]Liverpool may currently be struggling in the Premier League but they have not lost to Dutch opposition since their first encounter in 1966 when Ajax won 5-0 in Amsterdam.[LNB]Du Chatinier knows Thursday's Group K encounter will be tough, especially as counterpart Roy Hodgson has brought almost a full-strength squad.[LNB]As a result they have explored every avenue available to them in their preparations, including assistant manager Jan Wouters calling in a favour from his former Rangers boss and current Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.[LNB]"Liverpool are a better team than Celtic, with all respect," said the Utrecht boss.[LNB]"We have asked people in England and Jan has spoken to Alex McLeish.[LNB]"We've watched Liverpool's home game against Steaua Bucharest (a 4-1 win) and the match at Manchester United (a 3-2 defeat)."[LNB]Du Chatinier's squad will watch the second half - undoubtedly the better 45 minutes as they fought back from 2-0 down - of Liverpool's defeat at Old Trafford again tonight.[LNB]But the squad have an air of confidence as they are unbeaten at the Stadion Galgenwaard in four European games, having not conceded in the last three.[LNB]And the manager does not expect to have to motivate his players.[LNB]"There's no need to show my players pictures of Rambo (the Sylvester Stallone character who is an expert in one-man warfare)," added Du Chatinier.[LNB]"The motivation of playing Liverpool will be enough.[LNB]"I am anxious to know what my team will do but that is normal, I'm not afraid."[LNB]Ghanian midfielder Nana Asare will miss tomorrow's game through injury but striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who has scored six times in seven Europa League matches, will play.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk