Mulgrew calling for Celtic focus
- adamhigginsuk
- Jul 21, 2014
- 2 min read
Hopeful: Mulgrew urges his team-mates to finish the job against KR on the 'perfect' Murrayfield pitch (Picture from Flickr.com)
CHARLIE Mulgrew believes maintaining focus will be key for Celtic in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier with KR Reykjavik.
The Scottish champions hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Iceland last week courtesy of Calum McGregor's deflected strike with six minutes remaining.
Tuesday's return leg will be staged at Murrayfield in Edinburgh with Celtic Park out of action because of the Commonwealth Games.
The setting will be unfamiliar but Mulgrew, who will again captain the side in the absence of the injured Scott Brown, says it should not impact on the side's attitude towards the game.
"It was good to come away from an away leg with a clean sheet and we're looking to score a few more goals here and we're looking forward to the game," he told Celtic's official website.
"I've just been to see the pitch, and if you're not going to play at your home stadium it's the perfect place you'd want to play.
"Playing here hasn't unsettled us at all. Preparations have been perfect and everything has gone smoothly so it's just another place to play, and it's a great place. It's magnificent.
"We hope to get as many fans as we can. We all know what the fans are like in the Champions League for us. Hopefully we can get them behind us tomorrow night and, of course, they will help.
"These are the games you need to overcome and the ties you need to overcome, and that's what we will be looking to do."
Celtic drew 1-1 with Dynamo Dresden in their fifth warm-up game on Saturday and Mulgrew feels the squad's fitness is now reaching its peak.
"That's another step closer towards the season. All players got 45 minutess so everyone feels fitter and feel like we’re getting there," the Scottish international added.
"I played 90 minutes last week as well so everyone feels fitter and at this time of the season that's what it's about.
"Game-time is massive. It's the most important thing. No running or training can recreate that match fitness and sharpness and awareness so getting that is very important, and I feel the whole squad has that and we're looking forward to tomorrow night."
Last updated: 22 July 2014 01:43am
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