Celtic Set Up 'Battle Of Britain' With Euro Win

Gunners Await The Bhoys On Road To Europe

Celtic ended their jinx away in Europe last Wednesday, coming back from a first-leg 1-0 deficit and defeating Dinamo Moscow by 2-0 in the Russian capital - the first time they have ever overturned a first leg deficit in European competition.

Both sides started the game slowly, neither midfield giving an inch, and it was ten minutes before either team had a shot on goal - a weak shot from Moscow's Alexander Kerzhakov which was easily saved by Artur Boruc.

As half-time approached, Celtic upped the pace, aided by some good runs by winger Aiden McGeady.

With a minute left on the clock in the first-half, Hinkel rifled in a long cross to the far post where Scott McDonald awaited to nod the ball past Moscow's helpless 'keeper.

There was still time in the half for one last attack from the home team and Hinkel saved the Bhoys' blushes, and kept the Russians scoreless, deflecting a low volley from Dinamo Moscow's captain Dmitri Khokhlov

The visitors came under increasing pressure in the second-half but some good defending (and a good call by the referee who waved away shouts for a penalty) kept their one-goal lead.

It looked like the game was heading for extra time when Samaras shot the ball into the net as injury time ticked down, leaving the Celts advancing into the new play-off round of the UEFA Champions League.

Friday morning's draw for the play-off round saw them matched with Arsenal, probabaly the team they least wanted to meet at this stage of the competition. The first leg of the play-off will be at Parkhead next Tuesday (August 18), kicking off at 2.45pm EDT.

Manager Tony Mowbray was realistic about Celtic's chances against the Londoners, but remained optimistic, saying that, "... we have players who can give them problems. We are good enough, we just have to take our chances when they come along.

"It is an exciting draw and a game we will go into believing we can win.

"The top four in the Premier League are on a different level to everyone else, as I found out last year with West Brom, and it is going to be a big ask for us," he concluded.