Celtic star Joe Ledley ready for Champions League battle

Joe Ledley has said Celtic will have no one but themselves to blame if they crash out of the Champions League tomorrow night in their second game against Shakhter Karagandy.

Selling Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Kelvin Wilson this summer has raked in around £20million but has left fans worried about the cost to their club’s continental ambitions.

Ledley does not see that as a problem, believing the players will only have themselves to blame if they come up short.

“We played games without Gary last season, including winning against Barcelona.” 

“We had other wins without Victor and the same without Kelvin. So there are no excuses.

“We just need to go out there and to perform as well as we can. Hopefully, we can get the win.

“It’s going to be difficult, but we are positive.”

Ledley has already tasted the drama of several big European nights in Glasgow’s east end after playing a crucial part in Celtic’s run to the last 16 last term.

Now he believes the make-or-break climax to this season’s qualifying bid will bring out the best in himself and his team-mates.

He said: “This is one of the biggest games of my life – so much is at stake.

“So much depends on this game and there is so much pressure on myself and my team-mates. Hopefully we can thrive on it and go from there.

“We want to play in the Champions League, it’s a fantastic competition. Last season was one of the best in our careers and hopefully we can qualify again.”

In the past, the might of Celtic’s 60,000-strong backing from the stands has been enough to close the on-pitch gap with world-class opponents such as AC Milan, Manchester United and Barcelona.

Ledley is convinced the supporters can play their own important role, cheering on the squad and becoming the 12th man.

“The fans’ role is massive,” he said.

“They have been brilliant ever since I’ve been here and I’m sure the fans will be exactly the same against Karagandy.

“The Old Firm is a fantastic atmosphere but when it’s the Champions League, I don’t think anything can beat it. The day we played Barcelona was one of the greatest moments of my life and the atmosphere was fantastic that night.

“I think the Green Brigade are fantastic. They bring the atmosphere to Celtic Park and without them, it wouldn’t be so good.

“My family come up and all they talk about is the Green Brigade. They set the atmosphere alight.”

The Hoops are Scotland’s last remaining participants in continental competition after Hibernian, Motherwell and St Johnstone all made early exits from the Europa League.