Fenerbahce coach: ‘No problem with Robin van Persie’

Belgium now face two crucial clashes with Andorra and Israel which will decide their Group B fate and the Parkhead centre-back believes he can force his way into Wilmots plans if he produces against the Hoops’ Europa League opponents when they visit Glasgow later this week.

The 24-year-old was reminiscing on his face-off with the Dutchman while on loan at Bolton Wanderers four years ago.

DEDRYK BOYATA last night insisted troubled Fenerbahce will prove to be the toughest opposition Celtic have faced this season. “It was tough to play against van Persie, but to do it with ten against 11 made it even harder”. We have to be really tight on him all night.

‘You only need to type his name into YouTube to see the incredible goals he has scored across his career.

He added: “But I know the way they play”.

“I have a great relationship with my team and players”, the 47-year-old said when asked about Van Persie.

“In total I have 25 players and football is a team game and we play as a team”.

The former Manchester City man knows Van Persie well from his time at cross-city rivals Manchester United and before that at Arsenal. Celtic on the other hand are the slight favourites at 8/5, while a draw between the two teams is priced at 9/4, completing a close set of odds in the full-time market.

And the Portuguese worldwide winger’s presence in the Turkish side only underlines the Celtic defender’s belief that, despite their shock opening defeat to visitors Molde, Fenerbahce remain the strongest side in a Europa League group which is completed by Ajax.

“It will be a tough game for us, intense, they have good players”.

“We are at our best when we are offensive and when we are really at it from the first kick of the ball and we have to use this fantastic atmosphere in the stadium to push them back”.

“I was too young and the manager was shouting to me every time to be more strong because they were tackling a lot but this is part of the game”.

“You never know what can happen in European games”, he said.

“Of course we wanted to be playing in The Champions League, but we are not and we accept that”.

Speaking through an interpreter, Pereira said: “Nani is here with me and there are another 18 players who came to Scotland”.