Malmo manager Age Hareide appeared full of confidence prior to the big match against Celtic and is confident that his team can make it to the group stage of Europe's top tier competition for the second consecutive season.
The Swedish side beat Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg at a similar stage last season, who the former Norway boss believes are a better side than Malmo's opponents on Wednesday.
"I said last year - and I meant it - that Salzburg were better than Olympiakos [Malmo's Group A rivals last term]," he said. "And my professional judgement now, after the experience I have as coach, is the same this time.
"Salzburg are a better team than Celtic. Celtic are a good team. We have every respect for Celtic. But the truth is Salzburg are better and showed it in the Europa League last year too."
Celtic manager Ronny Deila took his compatriot's words with a pinch of salt and is determined to prove him wrong.
"We'll see on Wednesday. That's when they have to show they are better," he said.
"European matches are tough – you win or lose on the smallest details. We'll fight to show Hareide is wrong. The pressure is on him after what he said.
"We will find out on Wednesday if they are better."
Deila further claimed that Wednesday's match will come too early for new signing Scott Allan who will not be rushed into the side.
"We will see," Deila said. "It is not as if Scott Allan is going to come in here and be the king from the first minute. Nobody is expecting that.
"I don't think he will go straight in. Nobody has done that, almost.
"He is a young talented player who needs to get used to what we are used to doing and get up to the tempo."
Important stats
- Celtic have managed three clean sheets in the four Champions League qualifying matches they have played so far. In the process the Scottish side have scored seven times and conceded just once.
- This is the fourth straight season in which Celtic are playing in the play-off round of the competition. They did manage to make it to the group stage in 2012/13 and 2013/14 but were eliminated by Maribor last season.
- Their record at Celtic Park in Champions League games has been very impressive with the Bhoys having won 10 of their last 11 games at their home soil. In the process they have kept eight clean sheets and conceded just thrice.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
