Injury hit Barca wary of Wanyama's Celtic

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is wary of Celtic's threat even though they have not lost a game this season in the La Liga or the Champions League and sit top of Group G with maximum points after two games.

At his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash set for Tuesday 23 October 2012 at the Nou Camp, Vilanova was quizzed repeatedly about the defensive crisis he has on his hands with Gerard Pique joining Daniel Alves, Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal on the sidelines while midfielder Sergio Busquets is suspended.

After conceding four goals in a 5-4 win over Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend, midfielders Alex Song and Javier Mascherano look set to form a makeshift central defence again.

Vilanova tried to play down the significance of his injuries but admitted concerns about the Scottish champions, especially in light of their 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow in Russia earlier in the month. 

Play on the break

- Injuries are normally a headache for a coach but we have got what we have got and all the players are at the right level to play for Barcelona.

- We would like to improve on everything and score more and concede less and we will try to do that.

- But all Champions League games are complicated and I am worried because Celtic are very fast up front and they proved it against Spartak. They play good, counter-attacking football so we know they are dangerous.  They are also good in the air and so I am really worried about that.

Kenyan international Victor Wanyama is in the Celtic squad for the match that will kick off at 2145 hrs local time.