Inter Milan boss cites Celtic in claim that Champions League opponents Kairat Almaty aren’t ‘simple’
Celtic are gearing up to face Midtjylland in the Europa League this week.
Martin O’Neill has had to visit London in order to pick up his passport to travel to Denmark for Thursday’s game.
The Danish side are at the top of the tournament’s League Phase, having defeated Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in matchday two.
In reality, Celtic should be competing in the Champions League. Their defeat against Kairat Almaty in their only qualifier was seen as a huge shock, and given the differences in resources and history between the clubs, this is understandable.
But Kairat won the tie, and they are now in the tournament proper for the first time, gearing up to face Italian giants Inter Milan.
Inter Milan boss on Kairat Almaty beating Celtic in the Champions League
Cristian Chivu was a surprise appointment for Inter in the summer.
Simone Inzaghi departed for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli after the Nerazzurri’s disastrous Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
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Photo by Mattia Pistoia – Inter/Inter via Getty Images
Inter are one point off Napoli at the top of Serie A, and have a perfect Champions League record with three wins from three.
Kairat, on the other hand, got their first points on the board in matchday three with a draw at home to Pafos – though they really should’ve won, given that their opponents spent most of the game with ten men.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s match at San Siro, Chivu warned that it wouldn’t be easy, saying: “They say we’ve had easy draws in the Champions League? I’m not listening to what others say.
“Tomorrow won’t be easy, winning in the Champions League is never a given. Kairat eliminated Celtic, they got through 4 qualifying rounds.
“If someone wants to say that they are simple, they can do whatever they want. We do not disrespect.”
The game kicks off at 8PM UK time on Wednesday.
What has happened at Celtic since Kairat defeat?
It may have only been a couple of months, but a lot has happened at Celtic since that night in Kazakhstan.
It triggered a back-and-forth between Brendan Rodgers, the club’s board, and Celtic fan groups which imploded last week.
Rodgers departed out of nowhere after a 3-1 defeat to Hearts, before Hoops majority shareholder Dermot Desmond launched a brutal attack on him in a statement.
This led to O’Neill’s stunning arrival – and after the season felt like a lost cause, the past week has re-established some positivity.
