Malmo boss expects improved Celtic next Wednesday

Age Hareide isn’t reading into Celtic’s performance too much against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, reports the BBCSport.

The Malmo manager was in attendance on Wednesday night as he watched Celtic squander a host of chances before paying the penalty late in the game after a clumsy challenge and the resultant spot-kick converted.

Hareide also noted that captain Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig were all missing from the Celtic line-up and start against Malmo at Celtic Park on August 19th.

“Celtic rested a few players,” said the manager of the Swedish outfit.

“I think they have more in hand. I have seen them a lot and I know they are a good side.”

The Norwegian compared Kilmarnock to the sides his own team, Malmo would face in Sweden and praised them for their efforts in pushing Celtic and earning his their first point of the season.

“We have the same problem in our league.

“We play teams lower down the league and they always lift themselves when they play against the big boys. When Celtic fire on all cylinders it will be more difficult for us.

“Celtic are better than Kilmarnock, but Kilmarnock battled well and got back from 2-1 down.”

Malmo’s boss knows the magnitude of the game, especially playing in Celtic Park.

“To play at Celtic Park you have to be brave and you have to find the right way of defending and the right way to attack.

“We need a very good away game at Celtic Park to have a chance to go through.”

His Malmo side currently sit sixth in the Allsvenskan league, having won nine and drawn seven of their 19 games in their domestic league to date.