Celts are big game hunters

CELTIC have failed almost every stern examination that's come their way this season.

Arsenal, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Rangers, Hamburg and now Hearts have beaten the Bhoys.

That has left Tony Mowbray's side facing the prospect of going out of a third competition by the first week in November.

For a support that's got used to their side rising to the big occasion, it's made for painful viewing.

Few outwith the Parkhead camp would expect that to change in Hamburg on Thursday night, but keeper Lukasz Zaluska feels that might be exactly the stage where it all comes together.

He said: "If we win in Hamburg it will be massive.

"The next game is against Hapoel Tel Aviv and everyone expects three points, so if we win in Germany everything is possible in this group.

"After pre-season, when almost every game we played very well, we started with wins over the likes of Aberdeen and St Johnstone. We played really well in those matches.

"Now it's a difficult moment for us, but if you don't play well and are still top of the league, you wonder what will happen when we are good.

"It's a big game for me. Yeah, it's special for a Pole to face a German team, but it's more when the Polish national team face Germany. It's more that the game in Hamburg is the last chance for Celtic to play more games in Europe. I think it will be a great game.

"It's a big moment for me, my first game in Europe, but I think the better atmosphere is Celtic Park. I don't think the atmosphere in Hamburg will be anything special.

"I expected a better team when Hamburg came. They are one of the top teams in the Bundesliga, but managed only two shots at Celtic Park, so anything is possible in this game."

With Artur Boruc sidelined for a month following minor knee surgery, Zaluska has a rare chance to show he's a worthy rival to his compatriot.

Last Sunday he very much looked the part by saving at the feet of Hamilton's James McArthur to save his side two points.

But in midweek he flopped over Michael Stewart's penalty as Celtic gave up their grip on the Co-op Cup.

Zaluska believes with a few more games under his belt, Celtic fans will see more of the former and less of the latter.

He added: "Now it's good for me to play a few games. I want to help the team and now I feel like a real part of the team because I've started to play.

"The last two years I've played almost every game. For every goalkeeper it's very difficult being a No 2.

"Before the game when you see the full stadium and take in the atmosphere, it's difficult when you're on the bench. But you have to bide your time.

"To be honest, it was a s**t penalty from the Hearts player, I know that.

"But it's difficult for a goalkeeper if you expect a shot nearer the post. My whole body was at full stretch. It was that s**t it was more difficult.

"I was surprised it was so close to me and after the game I was disappointed. I expected a better shot.

"In the last game against Hamilton I saved the ball in the last minute, but the penalty was another good chance to help the team. Those penalties, though, are always 50-50."

Zaluska counts Boruc as a close friend off the field, but when it comes down to the battle to be Mowbray's first pick it's strictly business.

He said: "It's not really that strange having my friend as my rival.

"When I signed I knew Artur was here already and what the situation would be. It's not difficult. Before every game I try to help him and he tries to help me. It's a good relationship we have.

"Artur has shown me everything. It's a new club for me, everything is new and so big, but I'm a big guy, I don't need help every day.

"I spoke a lot with Artur before I came here and he told me how big Celtic are and how many supporters there are.

"It's true there's pressure on us, but that's normal for Celtic.

"Can I stay No 1 once Artur's fit again? That's a question for Tony Mowbray, not for me."

A clean sheet in Germany this week would do Zaluska's cause no harm and, despite seeing Celtic lose at home two weeks ago, the keeper feels they have little to fear.

He said: "Hamburg are a good team, but not good like Barcelona or Milan. They have a few good players, but no big stars.

"If we score the first goal in Hamburg, anything is possible.

"Ze Roberto is the most important player for this team. They're still the best team in the Bundesliga, so we have to have respect for this team."

Both Zaluska and Boruc were left out of new Poland boss Franciszek Smuda's first squad so Thursday also represents a chance for Zaluska to start putting that right.

He said: "I was surprised to be left out because I've been in every squad for the past year, but I was more surprised about Artur because he's the one keeper playing for a big club.

"Kuszczak, Fabianski, Dudek and me are sitting on the bench - Artur is the only one playing every week.

"There is a new gaffer for the national team now though, so we'll see what happens."

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