COLLINS TARGETS THREE POINTS

JOHN COLLINS has emphasised that a victory over Molde in Norway tomorrow night is Celtic’s main Europa League objective.

Ronny Deila’s assistant is well aware of the menace from the country’s champions and the problems they will pose on their artificial surface.

But he declared: “It would be great if we could get three points. We’re going across to Norway to try and win the game and then we’ve got the home tie coming up against them after that.

“I’ve got a feeling this group will go right to the last game the way it’s shaping up. It would be nice to qualify before the last game, but, first and foremost, we’ve got to get three points tomorrow.”

The Hoops assistant boss added: “When the draw was made, most people didn’t expect Molde to be top of the group after two games.

“But they’ve proved on the European stage that they’ve got their tactics right and they’ve picked up a victory away in Turkey and a home draw against Ajax, so we’ve got to respect them.

“Individually, they don’t have the same quality of players as other teams in group, but, as a team, they’ve got it right for the European campaign.

“Defensively they’re very sound, they’re compact and they hit you on the break. They’ve got good pace in the wide areas and up front, so it’s got to be concentration from first minute until last.

“We started our two previous games very well, scoring goals, and that’s something we need to get better at – holding on to a lead.

“Of course, we’re working on it every day at training and we know we’ve got to get better.”

Croatian defender Jozo Simunovic, who has played only one game – the 2-2 draw with Ajax in Amsterdam – since his £5.5million transfer from Dinao Zagreb, is in the squad but unlikely to start.

Deila’s main problems will be Scottish internationals James Forrest and Charlie Mulgrew who are struggling with injury and will miss the trip across the North Sea.