Former St Mirren defender makes telling Celtic admission ahead of Champions League reunion
Miguel Freckleton knows all about upsetting Celtic — and the former St Mirren defender is now hoping to repeat the trick on the Champions League stage.
The 23-year-old was part of the Saints side that stunned the Hoops in last season’s Premier Sports Cup final before completing a six-figure move to LASK last month.
Freckleton is now preparing to face Celtic again in their crucial Champions League play-off, although he expects a very different challenge from the side that struggled under Wilfried Nancy at Hampden.
“Yeah, it feels like a while ago now since that final,” he said speaking to the Daily Record. “When we played them, they were going through a difficult spell, with a new manager coming in and everything being in transition.
“I think St Mirren were really on our game that day, and, simply put, we wanted it more than they did. But I don’t think we can say the same thing going into this game.
“Both teams are going to want it just as badly. I know they’ll be desperate to get back into the Champions League, and we want to experience Champions League football ourselves. So it’s going to be a really good tie, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
Freckleton also experienced the other side of Celtic last season when Martin O’Neill’s rejuvenated team thrashed St Mirren 6-2 in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
He added: “Yeah, they have a different manager now, when we played them in the semi-final, they had the same manager as before, so I don’t expect things to be too different tactically from when I played against them.
“Obviously, they’ve brought in some new players and they’ve had a good start to the season, so we know they’ll be confident and expect to win themselves.
“It’s going to be a really good game. I think it’s a great tie for both teams, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Celtic stand between Freckleton and a lifelong ambition of playing in the Champions League proper, with the defender determined to do everything possible to help LASK progress.
He added: “Progressing in this tie would mean everything to me, to be honest. My dream has always been to play in the Champions League. It’s the best competition in Europe and, for me, the best competition in the world.
“I remember saying it when I was 17. Whenever people asked me what my goals were, I always said that I wanted to play in the Champions League. So hopefully that dream can become a reality. I’ll do everything I can to help make it happen.”
