Ex Celt Johan Mjallby, now working as a TV pundit,has backed Gordon Strachan's Celtic side to get their first victory in the Champions League on foreign soil against Danish champions Aalborg on their home turf
Without an away victory to their belts in the Champions League .He believes that Celtic may just beat heir bogey this year saying
"Celtic should beat them in Glasgow quite comfortably and they have enough to beat them in Denmark, too. I actually think that Celtic will need a win against Aalborg in Denmark if they are to qualify again. Villarreal and Manchester United are strong teams.

"I know Celtic beat United a few seasons back at Celtic Park, but it will be tough to do that again."

Mjallby's Celtic Carreer

His solid performances for club and country caught the eye of Jozef Venglos, coach at Celtic F.C.. In November 1998 Johan Mjällby signed for Celtic F.C. for a fee of around £1,200,000 and was given 35 as his squad number, which he retained throughout his time at Celtic. He made his debut for the Scottish side in the famous 5-1 victory or arch rivals Rangers F.C. in the role of central defence. The rest of season 1998/99 saw Johan play increasingly in the role of central defence, a role in which he grew to prominence.

The 1999/00 season saw Venglos move into the role of a scout with John Barnes coming in as head coach and Kenny Dalglish as Director of Football. Johan again took up his midfield role in Barnes' ilfated 4-2-2-2 formation. He returned to his by now accustomed defensive role under Dalglish following the departure of Barnes in January 2000. It was under Dalglish that Mjällby won his first honour at Celtic in the Scottish League Cup win over Aberdeen F.C.

Season 2000/01 saw Martin O'Neill replace interim manager Kenny Dalglish. Mjällby found himself a mainstay on the right hand side of O'Neill's 3 man defence alongside Joos Valgaeren, Tom Boyd and/or Ramon Vega. He was to pick up a further three medals as Celtic won the Domestic Treble of the Scottish Premier League, Scottish League Cup, and Scottish Cup.

It was in 2001/02 that Johan experienced his first taste of Champions League football in matches against FC Porto, Juventus and Rosenborg. Another Scottish Premier League title was added to his growing medal haul.

2002/03 saw Celtic, with Johan as prominent figure reach the final of the UEFA Cup. Sadly they lost out to FC Porto 3-2 aet. Celtic also went on to lose the Scottish Premier League and League Cup to Rangers

Season 2003/04 was to be Johan's last at Celtic Park after struggling with injury throughout most of the season he decided to turn down Celtic's offer of a one year deal.

Throughout his six years at Celtic Park he picked up 3 Scottish Premier League Winner's medals, 2 League Cup Winner's medals, 2 Scottish Cup Winner's medals, 2 Scottish Cup Runners Up medals, 1 League Cup Runners Up medal and 1 UEFA Cup Runners Up medal as well as featuring in the Champions League Competition of seasons, 2001/02 and 2002/03. During his time at Celtic, Mjallby captained the team on several occasions. He is regarded as the best defender to have player for the club in recent decades.