Barcelona out to make Celtic pay for Ajax loss

Celtic can expect the same level of intensity on Wednesday that they faced in the Nou Camp last October.

On that occasion, Neil Lennon’s men held the four-time winners until the 94th minute, when Jordi Alba completed the comeback made necessary by Giorgios Samaras’ early strike.

Barca go into the match against the eliminated Hoops just two points ahead of AC Milan after their first defeat of the qualifying campaign by Ajax two weeks ago.

As well as having Champions League work to finish, Gerardo Martino’s men are under severe pressure from Atletico Madrid in La Liga, with Real Madrid also in a threatening position.

So the Spanish hosts will be up for Celtic’s visit, and 26-year-old forward Pedro confirms he and his team-mates are out to finish the job they’ve started.

“We want to go into the knock-out stages of the Champions League as group winners,” he says. “We may have lost in Amsterdam last time out, but it has still been a good campaign for us.

“It has been a difficult group but that is what we expected after the qualifying draw was made.

“Four of the biggest clubs in Europe, with great tradition, in the same section was always going to produce something special, and we still have three teams with something to aim for.

“Celtic were not so good this time as last season, but they will still have learned a lot from another season in the Champions League, and we know they are a proud team.

“So this final match will be very competitive. We are determined to win it while Celtic will be hoping to end a disappointing campaign positively.

“We also want to put the defeat by Ajax behind us. Against 10 men for most of the second half, we did not make nearly enough opportunities.”

Pedro is a classic example of those players who have had Pep Guardiola mentor their career at the Nou Camp, winning all the game’s huge prizes.

A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain, the two-time Champions’ League hero also has gold medals for the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup as well as four La Liga medals.

“It has been a privilege to be at the club through the last four years,” he admits. “We have achieved almost everything there is to win, playing football the Barca way.

“But we cannot live in the past, no matter how comfortable that may be. The world will not wait for Barcelona, and we must be ready for what is ahead of us.

“The Championship race this season is going to be very difficult and on Wednesday against Celtic, we need to try and keep momentum going for the La Liga test ahead.

“In addition to the Copa del Rey, we have two League matches against Villareal and Getafe to play in December and cannot afford to drop points.

“So the tie against Celtic is a big match for us just as important as any fixture we have played this season and there will be no place for anything but our best.”