Vladan Milojevic is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against the Hoops manager
Head Coach Vladan Milojevic of Red Star Belgrade(Image: Nikola Krstic/Shutterstock)
Vladan Milojevic has hailed Brendan Rodgers as a top-class coach – and insists Celtic are a Champions League team.
The Hoops kick off their Europa League journey with a daunting trip to Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.
And boss Milojevic can’t wait to pit his wits against Parkhead gaffer Rodgers at the formidable Marakana.
He said: “I truly believe that Celtic is an exceptionally good team with a great coach who was working for a long time in the English Premier League.
“He’s a great strategist coach. A lot of journalists from Serbia were asking me about the favourites.
“There’s no favourites in football. It’s a game of inspiration, the moment, certain specific moments.
“On paper you write whatever you want but Celtic is a team that was made for participation in the league of champions.
“It’s exceptionally dominant and strong. They are physical. They also have a lot of foreign players, so it will be an interesting game in any case.”
Just like Celtic, Red Star are licking their wounds after a shock Champions League exit to Cypriot outfit Pafos.
However, Milojevic reckons the Hoops’ dismal defeat to Kazakh minnows Kairat Almaty was a freak result.
He said: “Those were the games that Celtic were favourites and have much better qualities.
“Celtic have better qualities than Kairat. They played those two games.
“I don’t want to say anything bad for the Kairat team but those were not right parameters.
“Celtic has a good team and as any team we’re aware that at this moment they also have certain issues.
“They are looking at tactics, their game as we are. At the beginning of the championship, we also have a lot of issues. But I think we’ll be well prepared for the game.”
Celtic will walk out to a red-hot atmosphere at one of Europe’s most intimidating venues with a bumper crowd expected.
It’s the Hoops’ first visit to Belgrade since arriving as Kings of Europe in 1968 – earning a 1-1 draw.
Milojevic added: “I’d like to see all supporters who come to support us.
“We’re working hard, representing Serbia in the city of Belgrade. We’d like to be a great host to all teams who come here.
“I’m really glad that such teams with great traditions are coming to Belgrade.
“We would like to be great hosts and I believe our supporters will show great power in our stadium.
“These are special games. Different from the domestic league, especially when you play games like this.
“They also participated in the Champions League last year so we have in our group a lot of teams who oddly play in Champions League.
“This is a strong, exceptional team and we’re looking forward to starting out the campaign with Celtic in our stadium Marakana.”
Midfielder Timi Elsnik(Image: Nikola Krstic/Shutterstock)
Midfielder Timi Elsnik watched Celts in action in last month’s Old Firm borefest and Ibrox – but admits he isn’t clued up on their biggest threats.
He said: “I don’t know any of the players. Of course we watched the derby.
“But that 0-0 derby is not really an assessment of the strength of Celtic.
“Celtic are a big team, dominant in their league, we’re aware we have a difficult opponent.
“But we’re playing in the home ground. I doesn’t matter how they line up, we’ll be prepared.
“We’re aware that Scottish football teams are really physical and we have to be equal in that segment.
“But we have to use our own qualities and we have our own experienced players who can win a game at any moment.
“So Celtic should always think about us, we have to believe that we can play in the proper way and I believe the result will come.”