Tony Watt hopes Celtic can reach the last 16 of the Champions League

Tony Watt: Teenage striker is hoping Celtic can qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League

Tony Watt is hoping Celtic can qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and does not believe it is 'unrealistic' to think Barcelona can be beaten at Parkhead.

Celtic will face Benfica in their opening game next week and also meet 2011 winners Barcelona and Russian outfit Spartak Moscow in Group G.

But, rather than fear the challenges which lie ahead, teenage striker Watt is relishing the prospect of facing some of the best players in the world.

Watt, who has been named the SPL young player of the month for August, said: "It was one of the groups I was looking at and saying 'Hopefully we can go in there'.

"Barcelona are the best team in the world, but Benfica and Spartak are beatable. At home, even Barcelona are beatable.

"Barcelona are the best team in the world, but Benfica and Spartak are beatable. At home, even Barcelona are beatable."
Tony Watt

"I know people think that's unrealistic, but you never know with Celtic at Parkhead - it's just a different level.

"It's a massive club and we've got a good, young set of players. Hopefully we can take that on to the park and get a few results and qualify for the last 16.

"In the home games in the Champions League, the roar is just unbelievable, with 60,000 fans going mental.

"It's unbelievable, there is nothing like it. Even just being on the bench for the last game and coming on and hearing the fans singing was like a different world."

The 18-year-old has impressed so far this term, having burst on to the scene with a double against Motherwell in April, and says an appearance at the Nou Camp next month would be the icing on the cake.

Watt said: "It's just unbelievable the difference there has been. I was playing under-17s for Airdrie and now I'm playing for Celtic.

"You are playing at Second Division parks every week that have one or two stands and then you come here to Celtic Park and it all changes.

"Hopefully I can be involved against Barca at the Nou Camp. If I am, happy days. If I'm not, hopefully the boys can get a result.

"I've been handed a few chances by the manager and it's been good to get minutes on the park, especially at first-team level. It's good to be involved."