We'll get win to give Celtic Euro qualification chance, says Manchester United star Carlos Tevez

Nov 23 2008 By Gavin Berry

MANCHESTER UNITED star Carlos Tevez has promised Celtic his team won't carve up the draw with Villarreal that would take both sides into the Champions League last 16.

The Hoops must end their away-day hoodoo in Aalborg on Tuesday night - and pray Sir Alex Ferguson's men win at El Madrigal - to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

It's a tall order because the Spaniards have never lost at home in the Champions League and Celtic have never won an away group game.

But Tevez is confident United can pull off victory against the La Liga side and help Gordon Strachan's men set up a mouthwatering last-day showdown with Villarreal in Glasgow.

The little Argentinian striker also insists Celts can win in Denmark after he played his part in a 3-0 stroll for the Red Devils there on matchday two.

Although a point would suit United and Villarreal, Tevez said: "Every player goes out to win, you never aim to lose or draw, and we will be going all out for victory in El Madrigal.

"We will be treating it like any other game and give our best.

"With respect, we are not going to focus on Celtic. We are going to concentrate on getting the points and that is really positive for Celtic I suppose.

"If we are not confident we can win there is no point in travelling."

And while the striker - who played a key role in his country's midweek 1-0 friendly success over Scotland - believes the Hoops can banish their travel curse in Denmark he warned it won't be easy.

United's triumph in September, with Dimitar Berbatov adding a double to Wayne Rooney's opener, suggests otherwise but Tevez reckons that doesn't tell the whole story.

The 24-year-old said: "It is going to be a tough task for Celtic.

"Wewon quite comfortably but Aalborg defend deep and don't make it easy for any team on their own patch.

"Celtic are the better side though. They have much more experience of the Champions League, they've been at this kind of stage before.

"They have a better side, more quality players and are capable of going to Denmark and getting the victory they need.

"When there is a mathematical chance of going through Celtic should have the belief they can do it."

Tevez's assessment that Celtic are superior to Aalborg comes despite his United side dominating at Parkhead last month.

But they couldn'thammerhome that possession advantage and ended up relying on a late Ryan Giggs goal just to salvage a point.

Tevez said: "It is just one of those things you have to take, it's a special thing about football.

"You can dominate a game and miss a load of chances and still not win.

"Then you might just get one chance, put it away and steal the match. That is just one of those things about this great game."

Tevez's Argentina comfortably saw off the Scots at Hampden on Wednesday night - which won him a £20 wager with United boss Ferguson - despite a single goal settling the match.

However, he was impressed with George Burley's men and reckons they can only get better when his club-mate Darren Fletcher returns.

Fletcher has enjoyed an impressive start to the season at Old Trafford and Tevez said: "Darren has done so well for us this year.

"We've had a few guys missing with Anderson coming back late from the Olympics, Michael Carrick out injured and Paul Scholes sidelined long-term.

"So Darren has really taken up the mantle in the middle of the park and weighed in with his fair share of goals as well. He has been brilliant.

"He'll be a welcome return for the national side but I got a good impression of Scotland.

"They work hard, played like a home team should - pegged us back, got stuck in.

"We were on top and had the bulk of possession at times but they certainly pushed us all the way.

"I can have a laugh with Alex Ferguson now because we had a bet and he owes me £20! I hope he's not too upset.

"Seriously, the important thing for me is I've not been playing much recently so it was good to get a full 90 minutes under my belt and I enjoyed the game a lot.