Petrov Backs Celtic To Beat Dortmund In Champions League

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is confident the Scottish champions can start their Champions League campaign with back-to-back wins against Dortmund on Tuesday night.

The Hoops opened their account with a brilliant 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in their first game and Petrov believes they can make it two wins from two, despite being heavy underdogs with football betting sites.

Petrov, who will line up for Celtic in the Scottish Masters at Aberdeen's P&J Live on November 14, expects Brendan Rodgers' side, who have won every game in all competitions and have yet to concede a league goal, to beat Dortmund and extend their perfect start to the season. 

"Celtic will win," Petrov confidently told Gambling.com in an exclusive interview. 

"There’s no easy game in the Champions League, but I do believe that Celtic have the form and the capability to win that game. 

"The way the team is built at the moment and the way they play, it seems like there's real understanding from players of what Brendan wants.

"Borussia Dortmund look weak at the back. The only problem for Celtic will be the pace of Dortmund on counter-attacks and breaking quickly. 

"But I believe Brendan does work on that, making sure that the team is well balanced when they're off the ball. So I fancy Celtic winning that game and coming back with three points."

There promises to be a warm welcome for the Scottish giants in Dortmund, but Petrov feels that shouldn't faze the Scottish champions, who are 250/1 on betting apps to win the Champions League. 

Petrov played his part in several big European wins for Celtic during his playing career in Scotland and the Bulgarian believes the atmosphere generated at Celtic Park these days can help them have a good Champions League campaign this season.

Progressing to the latter stages of the competition will provide greater funds which Petrov wants to see spent on strengthening the squad for years to come. 

"Celtic are playing in that atmosphere every single week. 

"This is the benefit for Celtic, that they don't get intimidated when they go to big teams, or other clubs with big fan bases. 

"I believe that the players will love the atmosphere, will love the occasion and will put in a performance because that's the demand from the Celtic fans every single week.

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"You have to invest. With the new format now in the Champions League, they (Celtic) will probably have more opportunities to go through to the next stage. 

"So it's something that Celtic have to do. I think financially they do have the capability, and I hope they understand they now have to compete in the transfer market with other teams."

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