Mjallby: Confidence remains high

Johan Mjallby has claimed that Celtic・s post-Anfield slump has not had the affect of demoralising the dressing room.

Two poor performances in succession, first at Inverness and then on Sunday against Dundee, have left a significant dent in the club・s silverware hopes, and many now consider the UEFA Cup to represent Martin O・Neill・s side・s best chance of a trophy.

Yet Mjallby remains defiant in the face of the criticism he and his team-mates have been forced to endure and, when asked how they could slip from the heights scaled at Anfield to the depths plumbed at Dens Park and the Caledonian Stadium, he gave a simple explanation.

"That・s football,； he told the Celtic website. ：What you have to remember is that playing us is like a cup final for these teams, and the games against Inverness and Dundee proved that. It was always going to be a bit strange against Caley because we made so many changes and, although I was still sure we would win, I think that played a big part. Of course it raised a few eyebrows, but I suppose it・s one of those results that makes football so interesting.

：It was different on Sunday, though, because I didn・t actually think we played that badly. I think we・ve definitely played worse this season and still got the three points, but Dundee put a lot of bodies behind the ball and played well.

"In terms of confidence, I don・t really think it・s knocked us. We・re still up there, and I think we・ll stay on a high as long as we get a good result on Thursday night.；

Celtic will at least have Mjallby to call upon for the Boavista clash after the big defender declared himself fit and available for selection following a slight injury scare. His right foot had become swollen in the hours following Sunday・s 1-1 draw at Dens Park, but, having taken the precaution of sitting out yesterday・s training session, he insists he・s now raring to go.

：I・ll be fine,； he said. ：The injury happened in the first half, but it was nothing too serious. I think I just launched the ball forward, and one of their boys came in a bit late and caught me. I actually didn・t feel too much at the time. It was just after the game that it began to swell up a bit, and that・s why I sat out training yesterday. But it・s feeling okay now and I・ll be okay for Thursday.；