Boavista defender Fernando Avalos has opened up a war-of-words with Celtic ahead of their UEFA Cup semi-final return leg in Portugal on Thursday. The Argentinian boasts that the hardest part of the Portuguese side's task was done by holding Martin O'Neill's men to a 1-1 draw at Parkhead in the first leg of their semi-final.
But with the competition looking highly likely to be Celtic's last chance of a trophy, the Boavista man has vowed to further dent their ambitions on Thursday night.
Avalos insisted: "Celtic can forget about playing in the final of the UEFA Cup because Boavista is one of the teams who will be there. They shouldn't have their hopes very high. I am confident about our capabilities because we know how to play against Celtic on Thursday night.
"The hard job was done in Glasgow. We knew that our chances to reach the final depended on the result of the first game. We managed to get a draw and the goal we scored over there will give peace of mind because they need to score in Do Bessa to have any chance of reaching the final."
But the problems are mounting for Jaime Pacheco's side after their bad-tempered 1-0 defeat to Gil Vicente on Friday. Midfield duo Pedro Santos and Filipe Anunciacao were both sent off as Boavista were left just five points above the relegation zone. They will also be without suspended Paulo Turra and injured pair Mario Loja and Martelinho for the second leg against Celtic.
Filed by Johnny Proby
