Valgaeren taking nothing for granted
Celtic defender Joos Valgaeren is refusing to look too far ahead with the mouth-watering prospect of a UEFA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool in the offing.
The Belgium international insists domestic competition must now become the focus for the side after remaining in Europe beyond Christmas for the first time in 23 years.
Valgaeren told celticfc.net: “It would be a nice tie – Celtic against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup – but that is very far away and too many things can happen between now and then.
“Our biggest priority right now remains the league, and then in February we can start thinking about Stuttgart.
“Stuttgart are a very good side and I think we will be in for another very hard couple of games.
“Everyone would prefer to play the first leg away from home first but it was the same for us against Blackburn Rovers and Celta Vigo.
“So we’ll just get on with it and do what we can at Celtic Park to win the match.
“The confidence is obviously high at the minute but that is no guarantee for anything.
“It’s another big European game for us and we’re delighted that we were in the draw for it.
“We need to concentrate on the league now for the next five games and then we have a break.
“The European games are great but we can’t lose our focus.
“I’m looking forward to the game but there’s plenty to be done between now and then.
“Last night’s result against Celtic Vigo was brilliant. It was an extremely heavy pitch and the legs are a bit tired today, but I thought we played very well.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking in the second half, but it was a fantastic result for us.”
Celtic could benefit from the fact the German side have already played four games in the Intertoto Cup before qualifying for the first round of the competition.
The German side are fifth in the Bundesliga and defeated Hearts in the UEFA Cup in 2000-2001.
Celtic’s head of operations Ronnie Hawthorn added: “It’s another big game for us – and we have had a few already in this competition having played Blackburn and Celta Vigo.
“There is the prospect of playing Liverpool in the quarter-finals on the horizon but we are very careful about not looking too far ahead, though I know everyone will be thinking about it.
“If it does happen many people will be relishing it but to be fair to Stuttgart that’s not going to be an easy match – I have a feeling they will be a very professional outfit.
“There is already tremendous interest from fans, we have a large following within Germany, and it is a tremendous boost to still be in Europe in the new year.”
