Oleg Protasov, the recently appointed Astra Giurgiu manager, is satisfied that his players are prepared to take on Celtic in the Europa League tonight despite travelling issues having added to internal turmoil at the Romanian club.
The Ukrainian took charge of his first match at the weekend after becoming Astra's fourth manager this year and duly had to contend to a delay to the flight to Glasgow, with the squad taking off belatedly but without two players due visa problems. Sadat Bukari was also left behind to recover from injury.
Nigerian striker Kehinde Fatai and Ghanaian midfielder Seidu Yahaya arrived in Scotland yesterday, a day later than their team-mates, which added to the disruption on the trip. However, the Astra manager insisted his players would not be unnerved by the problems they faced getting to Scotland.
"It was some problem with a visa but they are here now and they made training," said Protasov. "We're professionals. Of course it's not good but we have to get away from the situation. I don't believe it will affect us. The flight was only about two hours, it's our life to wait."
Astra have conceded seven goals and suffered two defeats - to Dinamo Zagreb and Salzburg - in the Europa League so far, while Celtic top the group with four points. Protasov is confident that his players will want to show they are better than the table suggests tonight, though.
"I am learning about the players," he said. "I'm not sure I know them 100 per cent but I try to do my best and my players want to show what they can do in Europe because they didn't start well. Our opponents are a very strong team but we will try to enjoy this match. If you play against a strong team you play better."
Astra have their hosts to thank for helping Fatai and Yahaya into the country, after Celtic and UEFA stepped in to help the pair sign the necessary paperwork. "We went through Uefa, and also had assistance from Celtic's representatives," said Costel Lazar, the Astra sporting director. "Thankfully the visas were processed."
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