“So this will be difficult. We have to try and win that game because our only guarantee of getting through is to win, and that, of course, means more games for us, like everything else.

“At this stage I’m not really wanting to prioritise anything. Let us go as strongly as we possibly can, let’s see if we can get a little bit of help in between now and transfer deadline day, and then take it on from there.”

The Irishman is also looking forward to experiencing a European night at Celtic Park again, something he’s not done since a game against AC Milan back in December 2004.

And he knows that the home crowd could be key to getting the right result against FC Utrecht.

Speaking of those European nights at Paradise, he said: “They really are special and have been for a long time, and every manager who has managed this football club would feel exactly the same.

“I’m looking forward to it obviously, but in terms of drawing the short straw, my time here in charge just recently has been the three away games – Midtjylland, Feyenoord and Bologna – so it will be nice to get home.

“Of course, that guarantees absolutely nothing. The crowd will be great for us, and we will need it.

“I know every manager says the same thing, but we definitely need it and it will be a great evening – it will be a special evening if we get through.”

Manager’s full Celtic TV interview

Reflections on Tynecastle clash
Resilience of the players
Challenge of FC Utrecht
Importance of the fans
Transfer window

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