Champions League: Spartak Moscow v Celtic match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Champions League fixture at the Luzhniki Stadium

AIDEN McGEADY: The Spartak winger spent six years as a Celtic player (Getty Images)

After a promising home draw with Benfica, Celtic are in search of their first win and face a Spartak Moscow side who gave Barcelona a scare on matchday one. The Moscow club put in a bright performance at the Nou Camp, scoring two goals against the Catalans and were unlucky to come away empty handed. 

Having dislodged Motherwell from the top of the SPL, the Parkhead side now lead the way after seven domestic games and will aim to carry on where they left off at Fir Park.

One player manager Neil Lennon will not need to be briefed about is Aiden McGeady, who moved to Moscow from Glasgow in the summer of 2010. The winger has flourished in his new environment and has been outstanding for the Russians.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 5pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Celtic 1 (McDonald) Spartak Moscow 1 (Pavlyuchenko), Champions League, August 2007

Spartak Moscow 1 (Pavlyuchenko) Celtic 1 (Hartley), Champions League, August 2007

STATS…

Aiden McGeady, joined Spartak from Celtic in 2010 for £9.5m - the transfer fee made him the most expensive player ever to be sold by a Scottish club.

Celtic were the only team in the Champions League who didn’t manage a single shot on target on the opening matchday.

Spartak scored with both of their shots on target against Barcelona on matchday one.

Spartak have won just one of their last 14 Champions League home games (W1 D5 L8).

ODDS…

Spartak Moscow to win: 1.61

Celtic to win: 5.75

Draw: 3.75

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 5pm, highlights on ITV1 at 10.35pm.