Ajax coach: 'Skill will overcome'

Shota Arveladze is negotiating a new deal

Ajax coach Co Adriaanse predicts a battle between great strength and great skill against Celtic that will be won by his own team.

The two famous names in European football meet in Wednesday's first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.

Adriaanse was once in the running for the Celtic manager's job before Martin O'Neill took over.

Now he has watched the Scottish champions as a rival four times and said: "I have seen many important things.

"First of all, team spirit. You can feel that right away when you enter their stadium.

Impressed by striker

"But also the team itself has an enormous will to win. They have the guts to play for ball possession.

"Second of all, they have strength. They are good in one-on-one's and have a lot of strength up front and in defence.

Co Adriaanse has praised Celtic

"Of course, I have seen negative aspects, but I am not going to mention them, because Martin O'Neill is smart enough to use that for his advantage."

Adriaanse admitted he has also been impressed with former Feyenoord striker Henrik Larsson, who netted 53 goals for the Scottish champions last year.

"He was good when he was in Holland, but he has just got better and better," said Adriaanse, who is impressed by the flexibility of Celtic's 3-5-2 system.

Adriaanse's side finished third in the Dutch league in his first season, while Celtic romped to the Scottish title 15 points ahead of Rangers.

Holds the key

"If you win the league with almost 20 points more than Rangers, where one of the best Dutch coaches works, then you have strength," he said.

"But we have a young team that I think has more skill and the ability to win this tie."

Paul Lambert is crucial says Molby

He can choose from 18 players for Wednesday night's game and is boosted by news that their Georgian striker, Shota Arveladze, who scored 18 times last season, has re-opened negotiations for a new contract.

But unavailable for selection are Mitchell Pique, who is out with a foot injury, Tomas Galasek (knee) and Tim de Cler (jaw). Wamberto is suspended.

Former Ajax midfielder Jan Molby believes that Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert holds the key for Celtic.

"It is hard to get away from Larsson, but I think the influence of Paul Lambert is going to be important," said Molby.

"He has already got the Champions League experience as a winner. That will count for a lot.

"But, with the way that Ajax play and, if they get on top, it is very important to keep your discipline and shape.

Special system

"If you start chasing Ajax on a good night for them, you can end up in all sorts of trouble.

"It is going to be tough for Celtic. Ajax have got a good group of youngsters coming through, as they showed against Liverpool recently in the Amsterdam tournament.

"It is always tricky to play against Ajax, because they have a special system of playing, with three up front and one through the middle with two wide men.

"Having said that, Celtic are on a roll - particularly with the Manchester United result.

"Since Martin O'Neill took over, the whole club has been moving forward, so you can't rule them out."