Real Betis defender Marc Bartra has started the mind games ahead of Celtic’s clash in Seville next Thursday, in the Europa League opener.
As quoted by the Daily Record, the Spanish defender, formerly of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, thinks that Betis are in good shape ahead of their European campaign, as he talked up their potential chances of the final.
He said: “I think our team has not been weakened by the transfer window, and it’s even better now.
“It is a very nice group for us in the Europa League, but at the same time very demanding. We are playing against teams such as Celtic, for example, who are used to playing in the Champions League and are one of the great teams in their league.
“But we think Betis will have a big say in this group, and the Europa League is a big aim of ours this season.
“My focus in the game against Granada on Monday night, and then we turn our attention to Celtic.
“Of course, it adds something extra because of the venue of the final this season, and that has to be our aim.
“Of course, it’s great to play in a final anywhere, but it would be particularly special for us because it’s in Seville.
“I must admit I have thought about what it would be like in a final in our own city and in front of our people, but first let’s concentrate on getting out of the group.
“I signed for Betis because I wanted to play as many games as possible, and playing every three days in La Liga and Europe is fun. I’ve been used to it my whole career.”
Ange Postecoglou’s side have been handed another tough group in their European campaign, which has obviously become a familiar trend to Hoops fans.
Bayern Leverkusen and Betis – two sides which compete in the top five leagues in Europe and another in Ferencvaros, who we are of course familiar with as they knocked us out and reached the Champions League last season.
Going away from home will be a tough test for this new look Hoops side on Thursday. But it is a task I am sure Postecoglou is relishing as he gets his first taste of European Group Stage action.
