MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 00:44:47| >> :120:14603:14603:

Champions League qualifiers: An in-depth look at Celtic's opponents Ferencvaros

The Hungarian side are managed by Sergei Rebrov.

Celtic host Ferencvaros in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The one-legged tie is the second of a potential four qualifying rounds Celtic will face to reach the group stages.

Here is the lowdown on their Hungarian opponents.

European pedigree

Mick Jones scores Leeds' winner against Ferencvaros
Mick Jones scores Leeds' winner against Ferencvaros (PA)

Like Celtic, Ferencvaros enjoyed their European peak in the 1960s and 1970s. The Budapest club won the Fairs Cup in 1965, beating Manchester United in the semi-finals and Juventus in the final. They lost to Leeds in the 1968 final and were European Cup Winners' Cup runners-up in 1975. But they have only reached the Champions League group stages once, in 1995-96, and last season was only their second time in the UEFA Cup/Europa League group stages. They only lost once in six matches but finished third behind Espanyol and Ludogorets. The Green Eagles' previous visit to Scotland in 2004 proved eventful – Hearts boss John Robertson kicked out at opposite number Csaba Laszlo – a future Jambos boss – after a 1-0 away win at Murrayfield.

Manager

Sergei Rebrov has enjoyed success as a player and manager
Sergei Rebrov has enjoyed success as a player and manager (PA)

Former Dinamo Kiev striker Sergei Rebrov was a key player for Ukraine and the highest goalscorer in his country's league but endured a difficult spell in England with Tottenham and West Ham. The 46-year-old continued his success with Dinamo Kiev as a manager, leading them to two titles and the knockout stages of the Champions League. He took over Ferencvaros two years ago and has led them to consecutive Hungarian titles for the first time since the mid-1990s.

Form

Ferencvaros opened their league campaign with a 1-1 derby draw against MTK on August 14. They then beat Swedish champions Djurgarden 2-0 at home to set up their trip to Glasgow and had a free weekend in the Hungarian championship to prepare.

Key player

Tokmac Nguen scored both goals in the first qualifying round, winning the ball before netting from long range for the opener and showing good pace and composure to finish the second. The 26-year-old, who also netted against MTK, is a particular danger cutting in from the left and using his right foot. The former Norway youth international, who was born in Kenya to South Sudanese refugee parents, was handed his first-team debut at the age of 17 for Stromgodset by future Celtic boss Ronny Deila.

ID:411550: cacheID:411550:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7359:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Faroe Island's Rene Joensen (R) and Solvi Vatnhamar (L) vies with Hungary's Adam Nagy (C) during the Euro 2016 Group F qualifying football match between Hungary and Faroe Islands at the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary on October 8, 2015.
Read Next:
Leicester in fight to secure Nagy signature?
>
Read more about Sergei Rebrov Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!