Arveladze own goal hits Ajax

Celtic train in the Amsterdam Arena

Live coverage on BBC One Scotland,
BBC Radio Scotland 810MW,
1945BST Wednesday 8 August.

Ajax suffered a body blow with an angry outburst from their own star striker Shota Arveladze on the eve of their Champions League clash with Celtic.

The Georgian had been sensationally recalled to the Dutch club's squad for Wednesday's third qualifying tie with the Scottish champions at the Amsterdam Arena.

Arvelardze was initially dropped from manager Co Adriaanse's plans after he refused to extend his contract which expires at the end of the season.

But the dangerous marksman has now insisted that he was being "used" by the club to help give them a psychological edge over the Scots and said he would not sit down with officials to discuss a new deal.

Arvelardze blasted: "Yes, I'm back with the team, but I will not be going to any meeting with the club on Thursday.

Threat to quit

"I'm furious that they have tried to use me as a deal with the media.

"They insisted I was in the squad to keep people happy, but they said I was to have talks with them which is not true.

Shota Arveladze: threat to quit

"I don't need to go to any meetings. I know what I want and I said that to the club.

"To sit down and discuss the same old things would be hopeless."

The former Trabzonspor front man is still hoping for the chance to fire his side into the Champions League group stages.

But he has given the Dutch giants an ultimatum that he will quit Ajax if they fail to agree to his personal demands.

Arvelardze added: "If I play well, I'll do all I can to win the game and get Ajax through to the Champions League, but that is it.

Declared himself fit

"I will play well for this club and I do not want to leave. It's up to them to sort it all out."

Skipper Tomas Galasek has been ruled out, which means 18-year-old Rafael van der Vaart will play in midfield.

I think Ajax are an absolutely great side who are capable of scoring on any ground and I think we have the ability to score both here and at home too

  Martin O'Neill

Celtic winger Bobby Petta has declared himself fit to play in his homeland.

New signing Steve Guppy has been on stand-by to make his debut should Petta fail to recover from a slight leg strain.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill said: "Bobby Petta's got a problem, but he's improving and we'll see how he is at the last possible minute.

"It's not his hamstring, it's just behind the knee and it's still a wee bit sore, but he's feeling better."

Meanwhile, O'Neill laughed off comments from Ajax counterpart Co Adriaanse.

End Celtic's bid

The Dutchman has attempted to spice up the already heated third qualifying round by making disparaging claims about the physical nature of the Celtic side - and John Hartson in particular.

Adriaanse also insisted that, what his team lack in brawn, they can make up in the quality of their football and end Celtic's bid to make the group stages for the first time.

Steve Guppy leads Bobby Petta

O'Neill joked: "Yes, I saw real crunchers in Bobby Petta and Lubo Moravcik. That was the first image that I had of them.

"I have never known an Ajax side not to look after themselves.

"I played against Ajax in the semi-final of the European Cup and I can tell you that they looked after themselves all right.

"I also played against the Dutch national side and, even though they were a great side, all of them could look after themselves.

"I'm sure this Ajax side are the same."

7800 Celtic fans

Ajax defeated Liverpool in pre-season, but Adriaanse has insisted that his team are the underdogs.

But O'Neill insisted: "It seems neither team wants to take the mantle as favourites.

"That doesn't really bother me, but they are seeded regardless of what the manager says."

Yet he is hopeful that his side can put a smile on the 7800 Celtic fans expected in the Amsterdam Arena.

"I think Ajax are an absolutely great side who are capable of scoring on any ground and I think we have the ability to score both here and at home too," added O'Neill.