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Gary Mackay-Steven expects tough Malmo test

Gary Mackay-Steven reveals that he is expecting a tough test when his side come up against Malmo in the playoff-round of the Champions League later this month.

Celtic's new signing Gary Mackay-Steven has revealed that he is expecting a tough test when the Scottish champions face off against Malmo in the Champions League qualifiers later this month.

Ronny Deila's men have already beaten Icelandic side Stjarnan 6-1 on aggregate and Azerbaijani title holders Qarabag in a close 1-0 tie to advance through to the playoff round.

The former Dundee United man is hoping to get a taste of the main stage of the European competition for the first time in his career, but concedes that it will not be easy getting there.

"Obviously it's a goal of mine this season. In fact now were a tie away it's very exciting. And hopefully we can make that happen but that will only happen if we play the best we can," the winger told Sky Sports News.

"Having spoken to a few of the boys, we know [Malmo] are a great team. They won the league last year and any team at this stage in the competition is going to be good.

"We didn't know too much about Qarabag beforehand but they were a very strong side so I'm sure Malmo will be just as good if not stronger."

Celtic will play the first leg of their playoff-round tie with Malmo on August 19 and then the return fixture a week later on August 25.

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Nadir Ciftci of Celtic and Bedavi Huseynov of FK Qarabag in action during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between Celtic and FK Qarabag at Celtic Park on July 29, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
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1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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