Heid man says Celtic can qualify for last 16

Last updated : 25 November 2008 By Mikbhoy

As he prepared for tonights vital match at the Energi Nord Stadium 26-year-old Caldwell, recently christened 'Heid' by Celtic fans, told how the last group E match versus the Champions of Europe had re-invigorated the Hoops "That result against United has restored our pride," he said "but it's not only pride that has been restored, the belief that we can still qualify has also been restored. When you're playing against the European champions needing to get a result, then a lot of people say - and they were saying - that we were out."

"But we came back from the defeat at Old Trafford two weeks earlier" said the Celtic defender "and got the draw that has kept us in the tournament. And we know now that, depending on what happens in Villarreal tonight, two wins could be enough to get us through to the Last 16 again, which would be a tremendous achievement."

Caldwell, who could find himself in a midfield role tonight, knows that it will be a huge disapointment if Celtic haven't secured at least the consolation of a UEFA Cup slot by the end of tonight's game but his eyes are still on the main target "We need to win to have any chance of staying in this competition and we believe we can do that and set up a massive game at Parkhead against Villarrreal when we know we will have another full house urging us on." said Gary.

"We showed against Manchester United three weeks ago how good we can be," continued the Celtic defender "and we have to go into this game with the confidence that we can get the win that keeps us in the competition. There is a lot more expectation in the games with Aalborg because people say we should beat the Danes - and rightly so."

The much talked about failure of the Hoops to win a Champions League game outside of Glasgow will not enter into the equation as the team prepare themselves for tonight's match. The Celts will be looking to improve on their Champions League goals tally for this season and if the goals come then the points will follow and Caldwell reckons his strikers are up for it.

"We're not thinking about getting any monkey off our back, we're only thinking about getting the three points which would give us the chance to qualify for the last 16 again, depending on what happens in the game between Villarreal and Manchester United." said Heid "The away record does not really bother us. It's in the past. We'd like it to be better, but it's only the future that we can influence now."

"It's hard for anyone to score at this level." continued Gary "You don't get easy chances. You have to create everything then take your opportunities when they do come along but we will have strikers back for this game who have been missing in recent games. They'll be fresh and hungry and hopefully prove to be the difference between getting a result and not getting a result. The Champions League is always very important to Celtic. We want to do well in it, and in the last two years we have shown just how good we can be and what special nights we can have."