The Celtic fear factor that commands Feyenoord 'respect' as Arne Slot gushes over Brendan Rodgers

Feyenoord boss Arne Slot insists he won’t underestimate Celtic – as the Parkhead men are a cut above Rangers.

Dutch pundits are predicting another stroll for one of their sides in the Champions League after watching PSV hammer the Ibrox men 5-1 in play-offs second leg in Holland. But Slot – who insisted his men WON’T be targeting Hoops striker Kyogo’s suspect shoulder – reckons his men will face a tougher test from the Scottish champs. He said: “PSV won easily at home, away they didn't win. Celtic have only lost to Rangers once in the last meetings.

“If you look at the past few years, Celtic have performed better than Rangers. Celtic have been a better club in the last decade – you have to rate them differently than Rangers. Celtic has become champions nine times in the last 10 years and I know how difficult it is to become champions. Then you have to have absolute respect for those types of clubs, even if it is a competition where only two teams are in charge. I think we will now play against two opponents (Celtic, followed by Ajax at the weekend) who have equal qualities to us. Can we win and play the same football as against lesser opponents?”

Dutch champs Feyenoord have rattled 17 goals in their last three Eredivisie games but Slot is not banking on Celts chasing their style – or being intimidated by the notorious De Kuip atmosphere.

He said: “If you have played so many Old Firms I don’t think that you are nervous for a game at our stadium. On a European night, this is a special stadium to go to.

“But they have so much experience in winning league titles and cup titles that I don’t think that they are nervous that we have a few good wins against minor teams in our league. Let’s see but I think they have a gameplan