Similar to Celtic, Ujpest Dozsa face a winnable away match ahead of their derby date with Ferencvaros next weekend.
Willie McStay’s side travel to face Paks on Sunday looking to earn the three points that will allow them to leapfrog Ferencvaros into top spot after Ferencvaros drew 2-2 at home with Feherver on Friday.
Unlike the SPL the Hungarian league looks genuinely competitive with Ferencvaros, Ujpest and MTK Budapest making their early running with Debrecen, due to their Champions League qualifiers, lying in fifth place with two games in hand.
There are five Budapest sides in the top division but the main derby match is when Ujpest and Ferencvaros clash with next Saturday’s match at the Szusza Ferenc Stadionban eagerly awaited.
Ujpest are on a run of three straight wins with captain Peter Kabat the inspiration behind the run with six goals in his last three appearances.
MILLAR
Making his mark, pardon the pun, is midfielder Mark Millar who has quickly adapted to life in Budapest and taken to regular first team football.
Without doubt Millar was the star of last season’s Celtic reserve side with his energetic displays from midfield although a first team opportunity never seemed realistic.
Millar didn’t hesitate over the chance to join McStay at Budapest and is enjoying the challenge of playing and settling into a completely new environment.
He said: “I don’t live too far from the stadium and share a place with Foxi (Kethevoama). He takes me to training, but I spend the most time with Tony Stokes.
“It’s been easier to settle as a result, and it helps that there is an English player in the squad. We often go to a Scottish pub where we can watch games in the Scottish and English leagues. “
FERENCVAROS
Every game is an adventure for Miller after three seasons in the Celtic reserve side with the big derby match against Ferencvaros looming on the horizon.
He added: “I don’t know a lot about Paks but a couple of the players have told me about them.
“I’ve not seen them play but we mustn’t under estimate them, every match is important, as a player I always want to win.
“Last week against Nyiregyhaza we created a lot of chances, if we can repeat that against Paks it should be good enough to win the points. I picked up a slight knock in that match, but hope to be back in contention for Sunday.
“The match with Ferencvaros will be a huge match for us, it’s the equivalent of Celtic-Rangers in Scotland.
“I’ve played in a lot of games against Rangers at youth and reserve level, so I know what to expect. The 90 minutes will be very important and we need to produce our best.”
Elsewhere in the world of Celtic the u-19’s face Hearts at Borrowfield with a 1pm kick-off! Why they decided on that time is beyond me, with the first team match live on ESPN at 12.30 only a few relatives and friends will be watching the 19’s.
READING
Pick of the matches elsewhere looks like the Reading-Watford match at the Madejski Stadium.
Things haven’t gone to plan for Reading this season despite the favourable reports on Darren O’Dea’s performances with the club without a home league win since January.
Reading boss Brendan Rodgers took over as Watford boss in November last year but quit at the end of the season to take over from Steve Coppell at Reading.
With just 30 miles separating the two clubs it promises to be a lively match with either O’Dea or Malky Mackay coming out on top.
Share this article
