Cluj legend calls Celtic ‘not very good’, Scottish Football ‘weak’
Celtic demolished Nomme Kalju 7-0 on aggregate to set up a mouthwatering clash against Romanian champions, CFR Cluj, in the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifying phase. But the Scottish champions failed to impress CFR Cluj legend, Ionut Rada, who branded them as ‘not very good’ and Scottish Football as ‘weak’.
Celtic’s 7-0 aggregate win over Nomme Kalju meant that they will be facing CFR Cluj in the UEFA Champions League’s third qualifying round . CFR Cluj for their part put in a determined performance against Isreali champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv, over the two legs and beat them 3-2 on aggregate. It is certain that Celtic will not have as easy a time as they did against Nomme Kalju, when they face the Romanian club.
Player Ratings. Nomme Kalju 0-2 Celtic, Johnston shines but Ralston flops. light
Although Dan Petrescu’s club are expected to put up a fight, Celtic remain the favourites to qualify for the next round. But that has not stopped CFR Cluj legend, Ionut Rada, from making sensational claims about The Hoops and the state of Scottish football. Rada, who won the Romanian League with Cluj during his five years at the club, believes that his former club will pull off an upset in the upcoming tie.
Rada said: “Everyone seems to be scared of Celtic, but why? They are a team who use their aggression. That’s their only weapon.
“If Cluj want to mix it up and fight with Celtic, they will lose. But they won’t. Dan Petrescu is too smart for that.
“Celtic remain a big name, but the Scottish League is weak and have no important teams in it anymore.
“These days Celtic are not very good. Yes, they get past a couple if stages in Europe, but that’s it.
“Cluj have a team now that is full of experience. They know what to expect and how to play at this level.
“I am certain Cluj will qualify.
“Cluj’s success is largely down to Dan Petrescu. He has the complete respect of everyone in the dressing room and everyone in Romanian football.
“He will already be planning on how to stop Celtic and I think the Scots will be in for a surprise.”
It will be interesting to see how Neil Lennon’s men reply after Rada’s recent comments. It is safe to say that when the two teams meet next week in Romania and then at Celtic Park for the second leg the following week, there will be more at stake than just a spot in the next round of the UEFA Champions League qualification phase up for grabs.