MTK Hungaria v Celtic: On TV: Setanta, kick-off 7.00: Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill fears the Champions League qualifier against MTK Hungaria in Budapest tonight has come too soon for his players.

Although Celtic started their European campaign with a 4-0 win over FBK Kaunas in Lithuania, they only won the second leg courtesy of an own goal and failed to score in their first Premier League game, a draw against Dunfermline.

"I think these type of games come too early for most teams, considering their importance, but you have to be prepared," said O'Neill.

"My concern is the number of competitive games that we have played," he added.

The Wales striker John Hartson, still struggling with a calf strain, was the only Celtic player who did not travel with the party yesterday morning.

Johan Mjallby and Shaun Maloney are both available for selection, despite experiencing discomfort following Saturday's game.

Their opponents from the last round, HJK Helsinki, accused Sandor Egervari's men of using dirty tricks but O'Neill, who watched the last game between the two sides, is expecting a fair game.

He said: "I didn't see the game that way at all. I saw it as a hard fought game and there were tackles, like every game, that were fouls.

"There has obviously been a bit of reaction from Helsinki with the defeat and they are maybe annoyed that they spurned good chances but the opposition also had chances.

"It should be a tough game and I'm sure there will be physical challenges but, as long as the game is played fairly, that is all you can ask."

O'Neill added: "We were 4-0 up from the first game against Kaunas so I thought that afforded me the opportunity to go to Finland and see the team for myself."

Guardian Service