Caldwell Confident Champions League Lessons Have Been Learned

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Gary Caldwell - Celtic (PA)

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Celtic must win in Denmark to stand any chance of reaching the last sixteen of Europe’s elite club competition for the third time in a row, but will have to end a disastrous away record on the continent.

However, Caldwell has reminded the fans not all games from the poor run are down to the current squad and is confident the players have learned the lessons to be successful now.

"This will be our ninth away game in the group stages and the record is not all down to us. We are only accountable for the games we have played in. Next week is a big chance for us and we will be going there to get the three points,” he said to The Scotsman.

"This year I think we have improved. We have shown that we have learned from previous experiences where we were maybe out of the game before it even started. In the Man United game (at Old Trafford) the first two goals were offside, albeit we were up against it, but if they don't go in then we are still in the game. I think we can take confidence from that and the Villarreal game and go into this one believing we can win."

He added, "We want to test ourselves against the best so we can learn from it and try and get better.”

"If you play big games against the best players in the world then I think you will always learn. For example, as a centre half you pick up on the areas they want to take you and where they will try and hurt you. You learn maybe not to go looking for them, when to get tight and when to drop off.

"They are decisions you have to make and you have to get them right or you know you will be punished."

The 26-year-old continued, "You have to think about what you are up against and how you are going to handle it. You have to get in a mindset before the game and then go out and try and dominate whoever you are up against."

"Next week we are going to be in a battle and we have to be ready for that. Aalborg's players are a lot more physical and I think they will try and get in about us more."

Chris Myson, Goal.com