Defender details how Celtic will stop Manchester City

Erik Sviatchenko has revealed how Celtic are preparing for their Champions League clash against Manchester City.

After a 6-1 win at the weekend over Kilmarnock, the 24-year-old will hope his first home game in the group stages against Pep Guardiola’s City will go better than their opening game in group C almost a fortnight ago.

Barcelona thumped a Celtic side that included the 24-year-old 7-0 in their first Champions League game in three years, but will look to bounce back on Wednesday against the Premier League leaders.

As quoted by the Daily Express, the Danish international said:

But we accept we’re being challenged by the best players in the world and even though it’s at Celtic Park it will be a difficult game.

The Barcelona game hurt. You could be disappointed and not move on but we have shown the character that needed to be shown.

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.

So if you see the first run, the second run, you have to be aware that the third and fourth runs are there. That’s why we need to concentrate. 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 a lot it will be a long night.

If we move the ball quickly it doesn’t matter who we are against. But it’s also about courage.

Guardiola’s side have won all 10 games they have played this season, scoring 30 goals and conceding just six goals.

The English side won 3-1 at the weekend, with Sergio Aguero scored a brace and Raheem Sterling added a third for their second win against Swansea City in three days.

Celtic will take on City at Paradise before travelling to Dundee for an early kick-off on Saturday afternoon in the league.