Lionel Messi has again praised the atmosphere inside Celtic Park- but has warned his Barcelona team-mates to be ruthless.
The two clubs meet tonight for the sixth time in five years with Barcelona looking to clinch a place in the last 16 while Celtic scrap for a Europa League spot.
Celtic’s 2-1 win over the Catalan side in 2012 has dominated the headlines with Messi scoring the Barca goal despite Fraser Forster putting up the shutters.
That match, the day after Celtic celebrated the 125th anniversary of being founded is now in the folklore of the club and ranks as one of the greatest nights that the stadium has witnessed.
Barcelona are a ruthless winning machine that doesn’t enjoy having a supporting role to the parties of others.
This morning the Barca website states: “Parallels are often made between Celtic and Barça for their similar values and commitment to social causes, but no matter how warm the handshakes prior to the match, when the game gets going all of that will be put aside.”
“As Leo Messi has said, “it is a club and stadium a lot of the players know well and a club we have a lot of respect for, but we must forget everything … We must be ruthless.”
After missing Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home with Malaga due to flu Messi will be back in action alongside Luis Suarez who was suspended at the weekend.
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