“Historic club… excellent team” – Red Bull Salzburg legend gives his view on Celtic

Jonathan Soriano is a Red Bull Salzburg legend, and the club’s website have asked him for his opinions on Celtic ahead of the Europa League match.

Joining the club in 2012 from Barcelona’s B team, Soriano scored nearly a goal a game for them before leaving in 2017. There’d been interest from elsewhere before that time, but Soriano was happy with his hero status in Austria and didn’t push to leave the club.

Red Bull Salzburg don’t pay too poorly either, which will have been a factor, and when he left it was for a move to China and Beijing Sinobo Guoan, where he’s also managing to score nearly a goal a game.

Soriano played against Celtic in the Europa League four years ago, and was asked about his memories of the matches: “Celtic Glasgow is a historic club, and it’s always fun to play against such teams. But Salzburg deserves respect thanks to the last few years in Europe, and it will certainly be a great game. I still remember the 2-2 draw at home, where I managed a free-kick goal. The 3-1 away win in Glasgow, which also meant the group win for us, is still in my memory.”

On what he thinks will happen in this week’s match between the same two teams in the same competition, Soriano said: “Celtic Glasgow are an excellent team, although they were certainly more successful a few years ago. I think that Salzburg will have a slight edge, although it will not be easy.”

The striker isn’t quite as bolshy as some close to Slazburg, with there being a big confidence in Austria that beating Brendan Rodgers’ side shouldn’t be too hard.