Cluj sporting director has warned Celtic they are not afraid of anyone after overcoming Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel on Tuesday night.

The Scottish and Romanian champions are on a collision course after both clubs came through their respective ties.

The battle lines are being drawn early by the Cluj hierarchy as they get set to go head to head with Celtic to see who makes it through to the playoff round of the Champions League.

Dan Petrescu will be in charge of Cluj when they come to Glasgow and Bogdan Mara has pointed to the Romanian manager’s 2009 humiliation of the old Rangers as inspiration.

“We know Celtic are a huge club but we are not afraid of anyone and believe we can take our chance to progress. I hope we can have the same outcome as when Unirea Urziceni played against Rangers!” Mara told the Evening Times.

“We have a lot of confidence now. We knew what we needed in Israel and Dan Petrescu knew exactly what to do. His tactics were perfect and the players carried out those instructions.”

“It was a hellish atmosphere over there – the crowds were crazy and did not stop signing, cheering and supporting their team, so we can be proud to have progressed.”

Mara recalling the 4-1 bashing Unirea handed out to Celtic’s old foes ten years ago.

What specifically two different sides playing ten years ago has to do with this game is anybody’s guess.

Celtic will not be underestimating Cluj and they will have the Scottish Champions full attention next week in Romania and during the return leg.

The bhoys have experienced the pain of exiting the competition at this stage and will want to right the wrongs of last season.