Soccer

Scott Brown says Celtic won't be fazed by lack of support at Windsor Park

Celtic captain Scott Brown is looking forward to Friday's Champions League qualifier with Linfield
Celtic captain Scott Brown is looking forward to Friday's Champions League qualifier with Linfield Celtic captain Scott Brown is looking forward to Friday's Champions League qualifier with Linfield

SCOTT Brown says Celtic are going to lap up Friday night's Windsor Park clash with Linfield - regardless of whether they have anyone there to cheer them on.

The Hoops kick-off their Champions League quest against David Healy's team at Windsor Park later this week. Brown knows he and his team-mates are likely to face an intimidating atmosphere, but he is still relishing the showdown.

"I'm sure our support will make up for it once we get them at home," the Scotland midfielder said.

"It will be fine, it won't be a problem for us. It will be enjoyable, that's for sure."

Celtic suffered a humiliating slip-up in their opening European qualifier last year as they lost their first leg clash to Gibraltar minnows Lincoln Red Imps. But Brown reckons there is no chance of a repeat upset this time.

"Everyone is in a better condition this year than what we were last year," said the captain, who is confident an Achilles problem suffered in last Saturday's 9-0 romp over Shamrock Rovers will not stop him facing the Danske Bank Premiership champions.

"We're looking a lot sharper, we scored nine goals as well in our last game, so it shows we're finding our feet and we're finding it quickly.

"It's going to be physical, it's going to be a battle. They will want to make it a battle because of the way we play football and they're going to try and stop us and close us down early doors.

"But when you look at our squad, we've got some great players that can deal with the pressure and have dealt with that kind of pressure in the past.

"The reason why the lads signed here is because they want to play in the Champions League. They want to play the big nights underneath the lights - and for it not to just be a one-off occasion.

"So our aim this season is to get back to the group stages because last season was a great experience for everyone.

"Now, we have got a fresh feel about the squad with a couple of new faces, so here's hoping we can push a wee bit further."

Meanwhile, Celtic have slipped 16 places down Uefa's rankings for club competitions, despite last year's surge to the Champions League group stage.

Rodgers' men qualified for the money-spinning phase of the Champions League for the first time in three seasons last year. But three draws and three defeats from a group which included Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach meant the Bhoys gathered just 7.875 coefficient points and saw them drop from 48th to 64th place.

Rangers' return to European competition after a six-year absence saw them pick up just the 0.25 points handed out for a first round elimination after their shock defeat to Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn last week.

That leaves the 'Gers sitting in 306th position, behind St Patrick's Athletic and Luxembourg duo Fola Esch and F91 Dudelange. Dundalk are the highest ranked Irish team following last season's Europa League heroics, sitting in 195th position. Cliftonville are ranked at 301, while Linfield come in at 333, just ahead of Derry City and Cork City, respectively.

Positions are based on points gained by clubs that have competed in European competition over the past five seasons and the rankings determine the seeding of each club in all Uefa competition draws.