Cluj's Mihai Bordeianu claims they know "everything" about Celtic

By David Walton

August 6, 2019

CFR Cluj midfielder Mihai Bordeianu has warned Celtic ahead of their Champions League qualifier this week.

The Romanian has claimed to DigiSport that his side know “everything” about Celtic. Dan Petrescu has apparently been studying in his office for hours trying to get used to the Celtic side, according to the club’s Director Bogdan Mara (DigiSport).

Cluj and Celtic will meet each other for the first time in competitive action this week. The two sides have never faced each other before, and it’s going to be an intriguing meeting.

Dan Petrescu has been putting in the hours to try and find out all he can about Celtic (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Cluj have certainly been doing plenty of talking in the build-up to the clash, however. They’ve been using Romanian outlets to voice their confidence, and Bordeianu did so again with DigiSport. Speaking to the source, he claimed they’re fully ready for the visit of the Hoops tomorrow.

“Celtic does not play like the other two teams we eliminated – Astana and Maccabi – who are more technical and less aggressive. We know absolutely everything about Celtic.

“For me it will be the most important match of my career, I have never played this kind of match. I know it will be difficult, but we are confident that we can move on.

“I expect a stadium full on Wednesday, from round to round there were more (fans). We need their encouragement, I’m sure we can make a good match.”

It sounds like Cluj and Mihai Bordeianu have been misinformed

The word “aggression” has come up quite often in the build-up to this contest. It seems to be that this is how we’re portrayed by Romania and the Cluj staff. But, in reality, it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Sure, Celtic have their fair share of warriors in the side. Scott Brown is the obvious one, and Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic don’t like giving forwards any length of time on the ball.

Celtic have their fair share of grafters (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

But we certainly have plenty of flair in the final third too. We’re not all about aggression – we can play a bit too. After the 7-0 mauling of St Johnstone, Petrescu will surely be aware of that.

Ryan Christie, Mikey Johnston, James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard, and Leigh Griffiths are all technically superb. That’s not even counting the likes of Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham.

But we also have plenty of individuals with great technique (Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)

It seems as though we’re being tarnished with the old-fashioned Scottish football reputation. That suits us. Let them be wrong in their evaluation of how we play. Hopefully it shows tomorrow night.

Celtic, at this stage, have more than enough comments to pin up on the notice board in Romania tomorrow night. It’s unclear whether Bordeianu is paying us a compliment here. But in any case, we should take it as an insult – it might just fire the Bhoys up even more.