Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin: 'Underdog tag isn't fair on Celtic'

Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin has played down the idea that Celtic are underdogs in the upcoming Champions League match between the sides.

Dortmund welcome the Scottish champions to the famous Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night and are favourites to take all three points from the clash.

Last season saw the Bundesliga side make a run all the way to the Champions League final, though they lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Wembley. Dortmund kicked off this season’s campaign with a 3-0 win away at Club Brugge and are aiming for another victory when they take on Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Celtic are on a run of 17 successive victories though, with a strong end to last season followed by a perfect start to this one. The team have been defensively strong and clinical in front of goal, prompting caution from Sahin.

Asked if Celtic were underdogs, he pointed to their results and said it was a tag that wouldn’t be “fair”.

“You’re talking about a team who haven’t lost for many games and haven’t even lost a goal in their league,” Sahin said. “They were very dominant in their first match in the Champions League.

“What can you say about Celtic? They are a very prestigious club with amazing talent in their squad and a fantastic coach.

“It will be a challenge for us, but at the same time a big challenge, a huge challenge, which they didn’t have this season, playing in our stadium. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I don’t think it’s fair to call them underdogs to be honest.”

The 36-year-old former Turkey international singled out one player he was wary of, saying Kyogo Furuhashi’s qualities were there for everyone to see.

“If you really want a name, I’m a big, big fan of your striker,” he said.

“Furuhashi is not a typical striker like we are used to, a big one. But he is very smart and I really like how he moves off the ball, the timing of his runs. I see a very smart guy there tactically.”