Caldwell keen on Arsenal upset

Scottish giants Celtic FC’s defender Gary Caldwell is confident the Parkhead atmosphere can inspire the Bhoys to a Champions League victory over Arsenal.

The latest all-British encounter in Europe’s premier club competition was confirmed on Friday when the two sides were paired together in a play-off for a place in the lucrative group phase.

While, Celtic’s hopes of toppling Arsene Wenger’s men have been written off in some quarters, Caldwell claims famous home wins against Manchester United, AC Milan and Juventus prove the Bhoys are capable of springing a surprise.

“It will be up to us to try to get one of our famous results and get a big victory on home soil and then see what we can get down there,” Caldwell told the Herald.

“The European games at home, with our support and the kind of atmosphere they generate, are always special and this will be absolutely massive.

“It is a big glamour tie, another ‘Battle of Britain’, and everyone is looking forward to it. We are delighted to still be in the competition and this is an exciting game for us to look forward to.

“In a funny way, I think the first leg at home actually helps us. We will have our home crowd and if we can get a positive result then it will give us something to hold on to when we go to the Emirates, whereas if we went there first, it could be over by the time we played the second leg.”

Despite his bullishness, Caldwell admitted Arsenal were the one team he wanted to avoid.

“Everyone kind of said that Arsenal were the tough ones to get in the pot and it just so happens that we’ve got them,” he said.

“But we have all said that we are happy to be there. It is probably the hardest draw we could have got and we know that it will be very tough for us.

“But we have to have a bit of belief if we are going to get anything.”