Sparta Prague boss Vaclav Kotal has insisted he didn’t mean to disrespect Celtic when previewing the Europa League group after the UEFA draw.
Kotal’s comments on the official Sparta Prague website created headlines such as “Celtic branded weakest Europa League rival as Sparta Prague boss Vaclav Kotal hits out with ‘most playable’ jibe” in the Scottish press, who didn’t waste an opportunity to stick the boot into Neil Lennon’s side.
However, Kotal insists he knows the quality that the Premiership champions have.
He told The Daily Record: “I have heard no Czech team has ever won at Celtic Park but we want to improve our reputation and be successful.
“I didn’t mean it to disrespect Celtic. When I said they were the ‘most accessible team’ for us I was talking about in terms of the in the group. AC Milan and Lille are leading the Italian and French leagues – two of best leagues in the world.
“I respect the quality of the Scottish league and especially the size of Celtic and Rangers.”
It’s being pitched as Kotal ‘doubling down’ on his initial comments, but from my perspective, it’s far more diplomatic than that.
Lennon’s Bhoys were the Pot 1 seed in the process but it can’t be denied that Lille and AC Milan have quality teams this season.
Kotal’s comments were pretty mild and clearly he is not underestimating our threat ahead of tomorrow’s match.
Celtic are favourites for the encounter due to the Czech side’s pandemic-related problems and poor form in the opening group matches, but we can’t take them for granted either.
We really need the three points to boost our progression hopes, so let’s hope Kotal is even more impressed by the quality of Scottish football on his way home tomorrow night.
In other news, Boli Bolingoli’s performance in the Champions League has caught the eye of Celtic supporters.
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