Scott Brown: Celtic can beat anyone at Parkhead

Feb 11, 2013 10:24:00 PM

The Hoops' captain has said that his side are feeling confident ahead of Tuesday's home clash with Juventus, claiming that it's "probably the biggest game of our lives"

Celtic captain Scott Brown has said that his side are feeling confident ahead of Tuesday's first leg tie at home against Juventus in the Champions League.

The 27-year-old regards tomorrow's clash as "probably the biggest game of our lives", and believes that the tempo in training has increased noticeably as the Hoops prepare for their first appearance in the last 16 of the competition since they were defeated 4-2 on aggregate by Barcelona in 2008.

Brown was also keen to place emphasis on the power of the fans, and the recently-appointed Scotland captain believes that with a sell-out crowd behind them anything is possible after beating the Blaugrana in the group stage of this year's competition.

"We can beat anyone, especially at Parkhead, as the fans play a big part," he told the pre-match press conference.

"We haven't had the best form in the world at home in the league this season, but it's definitely a step up in the Champions League."

The Hoops captain and his team are well aware that they are up against some of the finest players in Europe, especially two-time Champions League winner Andrea Pirlo, a player Brown regards as "one of the greats".

"He's getting a bit older now, so hopefully we can catch him," he joked. "He's fantastic. We have to try and stop him from playing his own game.

"Everyone's a threat. They have technical players and the strikers hold the ball very well."

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Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

8:20 PM BST

Mario Balotelli might not be involved tonight but you can't keep an incredibly loud man down/quiet, and he's taken to Twitter to voice his support for Dortmund, who of course played their part in dumping the forward's former club Manchester City out of this season's group stages.

8:17 PM BST

BAYERN HAVE WOKEN UP! After sleepwalking their way through the opening quarter of this game, Bayern arise from their slumber to draw a stunning save out of Weidenfeller, who somehow managed to get his fingertips on a fine header from Mandzukic and tip the ball over the bar. Seconds later, Javi Martinez nods just over from the resulting corner. Bayern literally arrived 20 minutes after Dortmund - and it's been the exact same story in terms of the game.

8:11 PM BST

More from our man about the town, Jay Jaffa:

"I would say it was an even battle between both sets of supporters outside Wembley but Dortmund are definitely edging it in the pub I'm in. The streets of central London are quieter than usual and every bar I walked past is spilling out onto the road. London is at a standstill.

8:10 PM BST

Reus is involved again, drawing another decent stop out of Neur. Early days, of course, but Bayern look like they might bottle another final! Die Roten fan Tobias is somewhat concerned - but feels Dortmund will pay for their profligacy.

"It is a match where every situation feels like the decisive one. Our start is certainly not good, with Dortmund putting lots of pressure on us. Maybe that was unexpected.

"But look at the bright side: A team that did not convert one of three chances against us probably won't win. We do not give away way more chances than that."

8:04 PM BST

TERRIFIC STOP FROM NEUER! Just moments after a corner forced by a long-range strike from Lewandowski, Gundogan angles the ball wide to Reus, who picks out Blaszczykowski at the near post. The latter connects with the cross first time, but Neur is equal to it. That was a fine reaction save, but Dortmund should be ahead. And you know what, Dortmund deserve to be ahead. We're 15 minutes in but Bayern haven't started yet.

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