With Pep Guardiola’s men in red-hot, record-breaking form, the Blues have been tipped to clinch an 11th straight victory in Scotland against a side who shipped seven at Barcelona in Matchday One.
The Brazilian insists that result has no bearing on this week’s game though, adding his side will have to be at their best to claim three points.
“I don’t agree with favourites,” he stated. “It’s going to be a difficult game.
“Of course they had a painful defeat for themselves and the fans, but maybe that’s one of the reasons they will step onto the pitch with a lot more concentration, motivated to try to win this home game.
“So we’ll have to be very careful and stay very focused to not allow that to happen.
“To be honest, it will be my first time playing in Scotland, against Celtic. I played them once in 2007, but that was in our stadium - I was suspended for the away game, so I didn’t play.
“But Champions League games are always special, regardless of where you are; no matter what stadium you’re in or who you’re playing.
“It will be special because all the best teams are in the Champions League. So our objective is to go there and try to win, but it’s going to be a difficult match.”
Fernandinho also highlighted the significance of gaining a positive result at Celtic Park, with City battling in a difficult group.
“It’s very important,” he continued. “I think people sometimes say that City and Barcelona are the favourites, but I don’t agree with that because Borussia are an excellent team. Celtic are an excellent team as well, especially when they play at home.
“The Champions League is always special - you always have to be careful, you always have to think that you cannot make any mistakes… there’s no relaxing, otherwise you’ll pay for it.
“That’s our intention this year - to play 100% concentrated… the way we have been playing, and try to win these games which are really important to us.”
Tickets for the Champions League match away to Celtic are sold out, but you can watch Celtic v Manchester City on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Live Streaming.
Find out which channel Celtic v Man City are on in your country.
