Pressure all on Celtic - HJKFriday 20th July 2012 21:01
Celtic's eagerness to qualify for the Champions League could work in HJK Helsinki's favour, says the Finnish side's assistant Juho Rantala.
Neil Lennon's men were drawn to play either HJK Helsinki or KR Reykjavik of Iceland in the third qualifying round with the first leg at Parkhead on July 31 or August 1.
However, with Anti Muurinen's side winning 7-0 against the Icelandic outfit in the first leg of their second-round qualifier, it is all but certain it will be the Finnish club who visit Glasgow.
Rantala believes the pressure on Celtic to win through might work in his side's favour
"We want to win - they have to win," he said.
"Of course there is pressure on us but not like Celtic.
"It will be a disaster for Celtic if they don't win, the Champions League is huge for them so they will be anxious.
"We are huge underdogs but you never know. We have to stay positive.
"The first leg is in Glasgow and we hope we can score an away goal.
"That would be a huge benefit to us but as long as we keep the tie alive.
"If we can do that then we can cause problems at home.
"Celtic have beaten good teams at home in Europe so it won't be easy.
"Celtic Park is quite intimidating, one of the greatest places in Europe to play football.
"We will have to defend, not because we want to, but because they will put us under a lot of pressure.
"But I think we can cause an upset in the tie if everything goes to plan and we play to our best."
Celtic's first competitive game of the season will be the first leg of their Champions League qualifier while HJK Helsinki are in second place in their league after 17 games.
Rantala, who will be at Parkhead next Tuesday night to see Neil Lennon's men in action in their friendly against Norwich, hopes his side's match fitness will help, in part, counterbalance Celtic's financial superiority.
"We don't have the same resources as Celtic," he said.
"There is a huge difference. Some of their best players earn nearly as much in a week than some of our players get basic in a year.
"But it's lucky that it's not all about the money.
"It might be a good thing they haven't started their season yet.
"We have played 17 games and are in the middle of our league season.
"That is something we hope can make the gap smaller.
"But they have 30 professionals and they are fit throughout the whole year.
"So it might give us a benefit but it will not be a huge factor, it will be about what happens on the park."
HJK Helsinki coach Muurinen also noted that Celtic had yet to play a competitive game.
The former Finland coach said: "Celtic sounds good and interesting. I am happy to play the first leg away.
"It is also worth remembering that the domestic season has not yet started in Scotland, and that will probably be a small advantage for us."
Celtic met Helsinki 12 years ago in the UEFA Cup first round, with Martin O'Neill's side winning 3-2 on aggregate
The Hoops won the first leg 2-0 in Parkhead thanks to a Henrik Larsson double.
In Finland, a goal in each half from Paulus Roiha sent the match into extra-time before Chris Sutton scored a late winner.
http://www.footballcourier.com/news/story/1313378/pressure-all-on-celtic-hjk/full_story.html Onko nämä samat liirum laarumit resursseista aina pakollisia, vaikka niistä ei erikseen kysytäkään?
