Many have the Blues down as favourites – a tag earned by a 10 match unbeaten run – but John Stones insists his teammates will not take anything for granted.
The defender references Celtic’s history of upsets, as well the quality of opposition in the Champions League as he warns against complacency in the Express: “If you look Celtic have taken some big scalps in this competition. They have beaten Barcelona and Manchester United up there so you have got to take them seriously.
“We will be the favourites for most people but it does not count for anything once the game starts. They have got quality in their side, otherwise they would not be in the Champions League.”
Such focus will be music to the ears of City legend Mike Summerbee, who has echoed Stones’ thoughts on paying any attention to pre-match predictions.
Indeed, the former winger is very much of the belief that, despite their excellent start, City are not thinking beyond the next game.
Quoted in the Herald, Summerbee said: “I don’t think Pep is focusing too much on the later stages of the competition at this point.
“City will always start off every season hoping to make the final of the Champions League but ahead of a game like this away to Celtic there won’t be anyone entertaining thoughts like that. Pep knows you have to work extremely hard just to get through matches at this level.
“It’s natural that Celtic might feel a bit frustrated by what happened in Barcelona but there is nobody at City thinking we’re going to go up there and it will be easy. The Champions League is always different. Celtic will be up for it and we won’t be taking anything for granted.”
Away from the challenges the Bhoys might pose, Jurgen Klopp has been extolling the ability of a man plying his trade at the other end of the East Lancs Road.
Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
Asked who the most dangerous player in the Premier League is, Klopp enthused: “I like David Silva. I don’t know if you would say he was dangerous but he is a wonderful player. He’s everywhere and so skilled and he has such a good attitude.”
Well, we certainly won’t disagree with that.
And on that positive note, we end today’s media round-up, but stick with mancity.com throughout the day where we’ll have Pep Guardiola’s quotes from this afternoon’s press conference.
