Aghahowa seeks Celtic success

By Brian Brownstein

Return fixture
Despite helping the Ukrainian side to a 3-0 victory over the Scottish champions only two weeks ago, Aghahowa believes there is nothing to separate the sides and knows it will be difficult for Shakhtar to win the return Group F fixture.

Pressure situation
"I'm expecting a very tough game in Glasgow," Aghahowa told uefa.com. "In the first game I thought both teams were evenly matched. Just because we beat them 3-0 does not mean Celtic are a bad side. It was a very good result for us. I know they are going to come out very strong on Tuesday and we are going to have to absorb their pressure."

Counterattacking style
Aghahowa, who joined Shakhtar from ES Tunis midway through the 2000/01 season, considers Celtic to be formidable all over the pitch, yet identifies their counterattacking style as the biggest threat to his side's chances of victory. "I like the way they attack," he said.

Dangerous pair
"They don't just send one man forward, they send five or six players forward at any one time and I know we'll be in for a hard game. Their strikers [John] Hartson and [Henri] Camara are difficult to play against. Hartson holds the ball up well and Celtic are able to build their attacks through him, while his partner Camara is very quick on the counterattack and we have to be careful of him."

Essential win
Despite the tough challenge facing them, Aghahowa knows his team have to win in Glasgow if they are to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages of this season's competition. Shakhtar currently lie third in Group F behind AC Milan and FC Barcelona, and the striker is fully aware a victory is of paramount importance.

Glasgow agenda
"We must win the game in Glasgow. A draw is not good enough for us," said the Nigerian international. "We want to do to Celtic what we did to them in Donetsk. We are coming over to Glasgow to get our three points. That is all we are coming for."

'Agha-wonder'
Aghahowa is confident he is the man to provide the goals Shakhtar need to secure the three points. Famed for performing several somersaults after scoring, Aghahowa has the nickname 'Agha-goal' in Donetsk, and he believes he will leave the Celtic defenders tumbling in his wake on Tuesday night.

Scottish memories
"I think I will be able to score against Celtic," he said. "That is what I am there for. I know Celtic's defence will be aggressive and I'll have to be tricky but I will be prepared for this. I have good memories of playing in Scotland. I got two goals against the Scottish national team and I think I can repeat that feat against Celtic."

European status
The 22-year-old forward believes he is reaping the benefits from playing regularly in club football's finest competition. "I want this team to play in the Champions League each year," he said. "The standard in the Champions League is so high. We have a lot of young and inexperienced players who can learn a lot. I want to grow with this team and become one of the best teams in Europe."