David Walton 
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Celtic assistant manager John Collins has stated that in-demand centre-back Virgil Van Dijk is set to start in Malmo on Tuesday night, despite reports from the Irish Mirror that he would be left out for the Champions League playoff second-leg.
The Hoops travel to Sweden with a slender 3-2 advantage, after two goals from former Celt Jo Inge Berget put the tie in the balance ahead of the tricky clash at the Swedbank Stadium.
Talented Dutchman Van Dijk is sure to be an integral part of what will have to be a solid back-line for Celtic as they look to thwart a comeback from the Swedes, and Collins told BBCSport that the former Groningen man will start the match.
Virgil’s 100% ready, I have no doubt about that. I thought he was terrific last week in the first leg and I’ve no doubt he will be terrific again tomorrow night as well.
I’m hopeful he’ll be here long-term. The most important thing is he’s going to be ready for tomorrow night. He’s a huge player for us and he’ll be ready.
The Celtic number two didn’t hold such positive thoughts about right-back Mikael Lustig, however.
The Swedish full-back pulled up in the first-leg with a hamstring knock, and showed his emotion as the signs looked bleak for a potential start in Malmo.
The 28-year-old has since made a remarkable recovery, but Collins refused to confirm whether he would start or not, instead stating that his chances are “50-50”
He’s made a lot of progress in the last few days. We’ll give him right up to the last minute to see if he can make it. I think it will be 50-50.
The first-leg loss at Parkhead caused the Malmo players to round on their Celtic counterparts, with goalkeeper Johan Wiland branding Celtic “pigs” and “children”.
Collins, however, refused to be drawn into the war of words, and remained focus on the task ahead in Sweden.
It doesn’t bother me one little bit. It’s about performing on the pitch, preparing for the match. They can say what they want, it doesn’t affect me and I’m 100% sure it doesn’t affect our players. We don’t need extra motivation.
It’s where we want to be, it’s half-time, we’re 3-2 up, we’re in the driving seat. We’ll try to control the game with the ball, we’ll try to go forward and create chances when we’ve got the opportunity. When we lose the ball we’ll defend as a unit.
Eric Knott 
