Union Saint-Gilloise captain Kevin Mac Allister has expressed his excitement for the upcoming Europa League clash against Celtic, calling it the fixture he is most looking forward to following the draw held on Friday. The match will see the Belgian champions hosting the Scottish giants during the league phase of the tournament.
Celtic, managed by Martin O’Neill, will travel to Belgium to face USG, a team that has strong connections to Brighton and Hove Albion and Hearts through owner Tony Bloom. This matchup is particularly intriguing for both teams, as they look to make their mark in the Europa League.
Mac Allister, who took over the captaincy from Christian Burgess this summer, is eager to lead his team against the Hoops. He remarked, “There are a lot of good teams in the draw and it is difficult to pick out just one game that excites me more than others. But if I am honest, Celtic at home will be the most interesting,” showcasing his respect for the Scottish side.
The 24-year-old midfielder also expressed his admiration for Scottish football, noting his enthusiasm for facing not only Celtic but also Rangers. He added, “I really like Scottish teams like Rangers and Celtic,” indicating a personal connection to the football culture in Scotland.
In addition to the Celtic match, Mac Allister mentioned his anticipation for playing against Besiktas in Turkey, where he expects a vibrant atmosphere, saying, “the fans boo you when you touch the ball.” This highlights the challenging environments that teams often face in European competitions.
Union Saint-Gilloise's head coach, David Hubert, echoed Mac Allister's sentiments, expressing his satisfaction with the draw that placed Celtic among their eight opponents. He recognized Celtic as one of the most significant names in the competition, stating, “There are three champions in the draw – Celtic, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, and Lech Poznan. They are big names.” Hubert emphasized the importance of performing well in the Europa League, stating, “We know that the Europa is a competition where we can make an impression.”
Despite expressing some disappointment at not drawing an English Premier League club, Hubert remains optimistic about the challenge posed by Celtic, saying, “Celtic is still a close call. We’ll have to be at our best to get points. The ambition is to get through the group stage and perhaps be the surprise package again.” This determination reflects the competitive spirit that both USG and Celtic will bring to the upcoming matches.
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