ERIK SVIATCHENKO is not interested in being a Champions League tourist.
You will know the type; those players more interested in swapping shirts than winning games, they pose for selfies before games and seem happy just to be on the same field as some famous football people.
The problem and worry for Sviatchenko and Celtic in Barcelona was that they looked just like that as the stood back in admiration, actually make that fear, as the Catalans ran around them as if they weren’t even there.
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Their attitude had to change and it did against Manchester City. That was more like it, more like Celtic and their fearless approach has to be seen again against Borussia Moenchengladbach.
“The most important thing is that we don’t have the mindset that we are just happy to be in the competition,” said Sviatchenko. “Some people can be star-struck when you come up against opponents that you play FIFA with.
“You have to forget about that and play. We are here for a reason – we qualified and we beat some teams to get there. We are getting better domestically and all these things combined gives a sense that we can do something here.
“We may be up against bigger teams and better players, but sometimes it’s about the preparation and belief. If you believe you can take the ball off Luis Suarez, you will take it. If you are afraid of him, he will probably go past you.
“I think that could have been part of the problem against Barcelona – that we showed them too much respect. You need to do that but you also need to show your skills and that you are a good player.
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“We learned from that though because if you took those two games, against two teams with huge players, there was a huge difference.
“You need to respect their skills but also be a good player and show your own. But I think we learned that in the second game. If you took those two games together, both are huge teams and great players, but there was a big difference against City.”
Sviatchenko revealed that he has taken the phrase ‘The Celtic Family’ to his heart. Ann, his partner, plays for the Women’s team and there are more on the way.
“My twin sister Alexandra just moved here with her boyfriend Emil,” he said. “So she’s going to be working at the club with the foundation as well. It’s nice to have family over and we explore the city as well. So far we love the place and it’s nice to have them over and they love it as well – there must be something about Glasgow!
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“So my partner and me plays for Celtic and Alexandra works too, a family connection. I am really comfortable here. I think Celtic employ more Danes than anyone else!”
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