ANDERLECHT midfielder Sven Kums says the Belgians will be fighting for both pride and points when they take on Celtic tonight.
The Brussels side face the prospect of not only not qualifying for the Europa League but also finishing their Group B campaign with zero points if the Scottish champions replicate the result they garnered back in September.
It is a bruising statistic that Kums is keen to avoid, even if he acknowledges the prospect of getting that previous three-goal winning margin over Celtic remains remote.
Read more: Anderlecht boss: Celtic will fly at us like hell... it could be devastating
When asked by one travelling journalist if finishing with zero points would be a disgrace, the 29-year-old replied: “Of course if you end the group stage with zero points it’s not good. But we knew it would be very hard, a very tough group.
“If you lose at home against Celtic, who are a good team, you know it will be hard to take points from the other teams. Tomorrow we have a last chance to take something. Let’s hope we do it.
“I think Celtic are a very, very good team. They stand together as a team – they showed that against Bayern. They have a great atmosphere in the stadium and we’ll need to beware of the whole team, not individual players.
“I’m sure we are better than the game we played at home [when Celtic won 3-0]. We play in another style now. Back then we played very, very defensively and lost two easy goals. That killed us.
Read more: Anderlecht expert's view: Celtic were not impressive in Belgium and we are confident of a win
“Now, like the coach said, we’ve lost 3-0 at home so it will be difficult. But we want to take this opportunity.”
The intimidating atmosphere of Celtic Park on a Champions League night is something to behold, but Kums remains unflustered. After all, the Belgians have already walked out at the Allianz Arena and the Parc des Princes – and got beaten 3-0 and 5-0 respectively – and not being daunted by a partisan Glaswegian crowd will be crucial if they have to have any hope tonight.
He said: “It will be very difficult. But we need to be ready and the key will be not to be impressed by this. No, it’s not too much for us. We are used to playing big games – Bayern and PSG – so the atmosphere should be a motivation.
“Getting the ball is easier said than done. As a sportsman, of course we know it’s going to be difficult.
“But you have to have trust in yourself. We haven’t come here just to play the game and lose. There is always a small chance.”
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