Gladbach's Schubert confident ahead of Celtic test

Deep in the bowels of Celtic Park in Glasgow, Borussia Mönchengladbach head coach Andre Schubert put on a brave face ahead of what will surely be a strong ask for the Foals on Wednesday night.

Ahead of a crucial Champions League encounter in which the Bundesliga side will need at least a point to stay in contention to finish at least third in the group, Schubert suggested the crucial injuries to his side could be overcome and his team could still pick up the necessary result. 

Gladbach will be without Raffael and Thorgan Hazard, both of whom missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Hamburg and failed late fitness tests ahead of the trip to Glasgow, as well as Fabian Johnson and young defender Andreas Christensen, who has been ever-present for Schubert's side this season. 

"We can all read the tables," Schubert replied when asked about Gladbach's precarious position going into the match, with zero points at the bottom of Group C. "We know we should be looking to take points tomorrow and that's what we're aiming to do."

"We have a few injuries. In Raffael and Hazard we're missing our top scorers, and in Christensen one of our best defenders. Johnson is also very important for us. Nevertheless, we'll give everything we've got to put in a good performance."

Schubert was adamant that Andre Hahn and captain Lars Stindl  were capable of adequately replacing the side-lined forwards, but the fact that each missed a penalty on Saturday doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Add to that an abysmal away run of form that has seen Gladbach pick up just one draw in four games in the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season and the club's chances at Celtic Park look awfully bleak. 

Rodgers confident

In contrast, Brendan Rodgers' side are missing no key players ahead of Wednesday's clash and following an emphatic 3-3 draw with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in their previous Champions League contest, the Scottish champions must be confident of besting their German counterparts. 

"We have set a lot of standards throughout the season and each time a question is asked of the players they have stepped up," Rodgers  said when asked to assess his side's prospects against Gladbach. 

"There was a lot of criticism that came our way after the Barcelona game and the only way you can overcome that is by performing," he said. "The Manchester City game demonstrated that the reality is that we are good enough to be in this competition. We were disappointed not to win the game."

Kramer optimistic

If Schubert was putting on a brave face in Tuesday's press conference, Gladbach central midfielder Christoph Kramer offered what may have been a more honest outlook, suggesting that he couldn't wait to take part in the coming spectacle. 

When asked if he feared the vibrant crowds that awaited his side in the east end of Glasgow, the German international laughed off the suggestion, saying he couldn't wait for the game to start.

"We're not worried about the atmosphere," he said. "In fact, we're all excited to be able to play in this stadium. I've heard that the atmosphere here is unique. I'm really looking forward to experiencing it tomorrow."

Indeed, the 25-year-old midfielder added that he had not only heard about Celtic's unique atmosphere but had even watched YouTube footage of emotional clashes from the past between the Scottish champions and English Premier League side Liverpool. 

Rather than worring about injuries or his side's chances, the midfielder smirked before adding that there was a "50-50 chance" of his side picking up the necessary points on Wednesday night.

He and his teammates know exactly what they have to do against Celtic and he can't wait to get down to work.