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Celtic belief

Champions League: Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko is confident that the Scottish champions can cause a huge upset against Manchester City on Wednesday

Erik Sviatchenko is confident that Celtic are capable of ending Manchester City's 100 per cent start to the season.

ERIK SVIATCHENKO is sure Celtic CAN pull off a Champions League upset against Manchester City. 

Pep Guardiola’s men arrive in Glasgow on Wednesday with a 100 per cent start to the season under their belts, while Celtic are licking their wounds from a 7-0 battering in Barcelona.

Erik Sviatchenko is ready to take on Manchester City and their 100 per cent start to the season
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Erik Sviatchenko is ready to take on Manchester City and their 100 per cent start to the seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Sviatchenko was a victim to Messi and Barcelona's 7 goals in Celtics Champions League opening group game thrashing
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Sviatchenko was a victim to Messi and Barcelona's 7 goals in Celtics Champions League opening group game thrashingCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Scottish Premiership is where Celtic dominate as Sviatchenko jostles for the ball with Kris Boyd in Celtics 6-1 win over Kilmarnock
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The Scottish Premiership is where Celtic dominate as Sviatchenko jostles for the ball with Kris Boyd in Celtics 6-1 win over KilmarnockCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But stopper Sviatchenko said: “We have to believe we can cause a shock. We all know Manchester City are a very good team.
“If we thought Barcelona were good then Manchester City are always very good. We are ready for the challenge. We look forward to it.”
Sviatchenko claims there will be no Barca hangover — only a steep learning curve.
He said: “I think we just accept the game and we move forward.
“We talked about the game, we looked at some clips and at where we can improve.
“But sometimes we have to remember that we only had one day of preparation.
“When you are facing the best players in the world and only have one day, it will be difficult.
“But we will be focused and we will have home advantage and hopefully the crowd can help us through what will be a difficult match.
“It’s almost like you unconsciously in some way learn about the game.
“All players are evaluating their game individually but the team is ready to do what it takes against Manchester City.
“It’s about concentration. We need to be one step ahead of the others.
“They play at the top level and we need to think a bit quicker. In the Nou Camp, Barcelona were doing things a bit quicker than us.
“How do we think quicker? It’s about being prepared. Against Barcelona it’s never the first or second run that was the danger. It was the third or fourth run.
Manchester City will take some stopping as they are in scintillating form under Pep Guardiola
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Manchester City will take some stopping as they are in scintillating form under Pep GuardiolaCredit: Media Image Ltd
Sergio Aguero is in fine form this season and Sviatchenko will have his work cut out when he faces the City striker
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Sergio Aguero is in fine form this season and Sviatchenko will have his work cut out when he faces the City strikerCredit: phcimages.com
Pep Guardiola will be confident his City side can continue their 100 per cent record in all competitions
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Pep Guardiola will be confident his City side can continue their 100 per cent record in all competitionsCredit: phcimages.com
“So if you see the first run, the second run, you have to be aware that the third and fourth runs are there. We have to anticipate what’s coming.
“We will take our chances when we have the ball. You also defend when you have the ball. If you give the ball away it will be a long night.”
Kolo Toure sat out the 6-1 rout of Kilmarnock on Saturday, presumably with Wednesday in mind.
Jozo Simunovic took his chance to impress, leaving boss Brendan Rodgers with a dilemma when it comes to his starting line-up.
Regardless, super-confident Sviatchenko doesn’t expect to be the one who fails to make the cut.
He said: “Jozo did well. Whoever I will partner I am ready for the challenge. We have a really good squad. If you are competing in different competitions you have to have a big squad.
“I am confident that I am doing my job.
“Kilmarnock was the perfect warm-up for Wednesday. It’s always good to have a good win going into the Champions League. We didn’t use all our energy.”
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