SCOTT BROWN, the Celtic captain, did not attempt last night to disguise how important the Champions League is to his club when he claimed reaching the group stages was their equivalent of winning a World Cup.
The midfielder, who recently turned 30, reported back for pre-season training yesterday and immediately fixed his sights on getting through three qualifying rounds, starting a fortnight tomorrow against FC Stjarnan in a first-leg at Celtic Park.
A hamstring injury prevented Brown playing in these knock-out rounds 12 months ago, a fact which Ronny Deila, his manager, believes contributed majorly to the final qualifying tie defeat to NK Maribor.
Brown recalled the night of two years ago when a 90th minute James Forest goal meant Celtic had managed to come back from being 2-0 down against FC Shakhter Karagandy to win 3-2 over two legs, a result which secured their passage to the group stages for the fourth time. It's a highlight he is desperate to repeat.
"It feels like winning the World Cup, to be honest. I remember Neil Lennon running down the touchline that night. I felt sorry for whoever he landed on," said Brown. "It was a great occasion and he was as delighted as anyone. It was a big push but he believed we could do it.
"We started well, scored early on and the fans were right behind us. Lenny was pushing us at half-time and thankfully Anthony Stokes cut back and James scored. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net we were all diving in at the corner flag. It was just brilliant.
"It was like winning the World Cup because it meant so much to the players, the fans and everyone at the club. It puts a smile on everyone's faces right from the start of the season. You want to play against the best players in the world and that's where this club should be."
But Brown is under no illusions about the challenge that lies in wait for the Scottish champions given the teams who they could face.
"We have to get through three qualifiers because of the other teams in Scotland, " he said. "It's difficult but we need to do it."
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