\u201cIf the Celtic fans think they can create an atmosphere that will intimidate me they are in for a shock.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe day of the game in Scotland is my birthday \u2013 and the only present I want on Thursday is to come back to Italy with a good victory for Inter.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so important that we get off to a good start and put ourselves in a good position for the second game.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Well, thats us told.<\/p>\n What do the experts think ?<\/p>\n So, who is Mauro Icardi ?<\/p>\n Icardi has rattled 13 goals in 22 games in \u2028Serie A this season and has been tagged the new\u00a0Lionel Messi<\/a>\u00a0having followed the Barca superstar from South America through the Nou Camp youth system.<\/em><\/p>\n He failed to make the grade in Spain and headed to Sampdoria but has hit the heights at the San Siro and believes he\u2019s more like Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta.<\/em><\/p>\n So, he’s the new Messi, except he , er , didn’t make it at Barcelona. I guess that makes me the new Jimmy Johnstone, because I didn’t make it at Celtic.<\/p>\n Icardi said: \u201cIf the media call me the New Messi of course it is a big honour \u2013 but it is not a title I can accept.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n In other news….<\/p>\n \u00a0It’s not only Icardi we should look out for, and theres no doubt Ronny will know all about the man who has scored a commendable 13 goals in 22 games this season, but Chilean “enforcer” Gary Medel.<\/p>\n Well, so Don Cowie thinks. Cowie played alongside Medel at Cardiff last season, so he knows all about him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cGary\u2019s small in stature but he won\u2019t shirk away, that\u2019s for sure.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe wants to be in the thick of things and he\u2019s not going to hide away from \u2028challenges. If he comes across Broonie it will \u2028be a nice wee tussle.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf Broonie wants to play a bit of mind games and get under his skin, Gary will give as good as he gets. It\u2019s set up for a great battle between them. They\u2019ll bounce off each other.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Anthony Haggerty, in the Record, described the Inter lad as a “\u00a0midfield destroyer “<\/span><\/em> just to add to the sense of menace, and Cowie eagerly picked up the theme;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a real warrior of a player.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n He’s an ugly little spud.<\/p>\n The Evening Times, too, is on the ball. David Santon, who used to play at Newcastle, has connections in Scotland that could be the key to a sensational victory over the hoops, none other than on Ibrox loannee Haris Vuckic;<\/p>\n “I have already spoken to Haris since he moved to Glasgow, but I will give him a call again this week. I haven’t talked to him about Celtic yet, but I will ask him some questions in the next couple of days.<\/em><\/p>\n “I will find out what he thinks about them and if he can give us any advice. But even if he tells me that Celtic have a strong team, I know that we also have quality players.<\/em><\/p>\n “We are going there with confidence and I believe we can win in Glasgow. It will be tough, but with the players we have, nothing is impossible.<\/em><\/p>\n “I know Vuckic well and I am happy he has been playing at Rangers. I noticed he scored on his debut and he will do well there. He is a good player, he has qualities and can become a big player for Rangers.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Lets hope , for Santons sake, that Vuckic knows more about Celtic than Second Rangers know about Vuckic;<\/p>\n Vuckic is Slovenian. Thats the Slovakian flag on the cover of an ibrox match programme.<\/p>\n Oddly enough, the player doesn’t seem to have noticed either, which means we shouldn’t have to worry too much about anything he tells Santona.<\/p>\n \u00a0Word is that Vuckic has already given santona the low down;<\/p>\n We intercepted the call….<\/p>\n \u00a0” I don’t know. They play in a league above us. Could you tell my mum I’m fine and they are feeding me regularly. We could be released as early as next week if the Embassy pulls its finger out. ”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n All of this was surpassed by the Herald, who, via Mark Walker, \u00a0asked Inter legend Sandro Mazzola, who scored the penalty in 67, what he thought.<\/p>\n I haven’t watched Celtic recently<\/strong> but I know about Scottish football and their footballers. They are physical and will attempt to win the tie by being stronger than Inter and that might very well work.<\/span><\/em> \u00a0Well, that was money well spent. Perhaps they should have asked somebody else.<\/p>\n Anyone else, in fact.<\/p>\n \u00a0Any sign of any stories which might unsettle the players ? Lets see, theres the fragile John Guidetti and the insecure Leigh Griffiths-though the latter really has little to feel insecure about.<\/p>\n \u00a0So, lets see how they can be got at….after all, they are the potential matchwinners.<\/p>\n The Scottish Sun has us back in for PSVs Belgian striker Zakkaria Bakkali,<\/p>\n CELTIC have stepped up their interest in PSV Eindhoven teenage star Zakaria Bakkali.<\/em><\/p>\n A PSV source last night confirmed to\u00a0SunSport\u00a0the Hoops have formally made contact to inform them of their talks with the Belgian striker, whose contract is up in the summer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n A source ? Well it must be true.<\/p>\n Maybe we are in for him, maybe we aren’t, but maybe theres a game to concentrate on.<\/p>\n \u00a0Whilst the MSM are doing their best to , well, I’m not sure what they are trying to do, but it certainly isn’t constructive. The Celtic camp has remained quiet on the game, the only exception being a non commital quote given to FC Inter news by Stefan Johansen;<\/p>\n We can perform really well if we work as a team, and work hard for the entire 90 minutes, Inter are a great side but we have to take the field confident of winning; it will be a great game.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Nice touch.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini may yet regret taking cash strapped Second Rangers up on their offer to train at Murray Park. apparently, there are still a few cash flow issues at the club, and there was a surprise for the Italian when they got there;<\/p>\n \u00a0And it appears one Ibrox player is desperate for a move to Italy, so much so that he’s been on a bit of a mission to show Mancini that he can still shake his stuff.<\/p>\n \u00a0Lets leave the Inter game for a minute, and move on to the League cup final, which takes place on the 15th of March.<\/p>\n \u00a0Celtic have released ticket details, which has peturbed one or two of us.<\/p>\n TICKETS for the Scottish League Cup final, presented by QTS, are on sale from tomorrow (Tuesday, February 17) to Season Ticket holders who have been allocated a ticket.<\/em><\/p>\n Tickets have been allocated to Season Ticket holders based on membership of the Home Cup Ticket Scheme, attendance at domestic away matches, attendance at previous League Cup matches against Hearts and Partick Thistle and attendance at the League Cup semi final.<\/em><\/p>\n SUCCESFUL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS WILL NOT BE SENT A LETTER INFORMING THEM ABOUT ELIGIBILITY TO PURCHASE.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Season Ticket holders can check if they have been allocated a ticket by logging on to the game when it goes on sale online.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/36.media.tumblr.com\/tumblr_m7jx3nA5vc1qz6f9yo1_r1_500.jpg\")
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