For the second time in three seasons, defending champions Manchester United will face Celtic in the group stages of the Champions League but that doesn't frighten Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink..

United, the current English Premier League champions, boast a star-studded squad which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney to test Big Jan and Celtic both home and away.

Vennegoor of Hesselink was on the team in November 2006 when Celtic went through to the knockout phase of the Champions League thanks to a superb Nakamura free-kick and a penalty save from the Holy Goalie.
Despite losing 3-2 at Old Trafford he scored to give Celtic an early lead on this his Champions League debut .

Celtic open their campaign against Danish side Aalborg on September 17 at fortress Parkhead and having lost just once on their home turf in the Champions League - to Barcelona no less ,Big Jan is looking to continue this impressive home record .

"We have had some great results here at Celtic Park and the reason we have been able to progress from the group and into the last 16 is because we have won our home games.

"This year again we want to do the same thing, but we also want to get a result on foreign soil. In the Champions League you are always up against top quality opposition and I think that is why the home advantage can make such a big difference. It just gives you something of an edge. We would like to get some success abroad.

"Just getting to the second stage would be great. You want to progress out of the group and then you can take it from there.

"If you get a decent draw in the second stage you never know what might happen."

Celtic travel to Old Trafford to to play their first leg against Manchester United on 21 October

The Dutch striker declared

"We need to be concentrated on doing our stuff. I remember both games against Manchester United the last time we played them. My first European game for Celtic was at Old Trafford and I've good memories of that.

"We had a good game against them at home which was amazing. There was all the drama with the penalty at the end and the result was fantastic because it put us through the group stage. If you don't like playing against Manchester United then I don't think you love football.

"They have a great stadium and a fantastic team and it is something for us to look forward to. The atmosphere at Celtic Park on European nights is something else and I know that many people feel that way. It can give us that something extra when we go into nights like these."

On the competition he acknowledges

It is a superb tournament and we feel confident, despite the fact we know it is a hard group we are in.

It is a massive challenge just to progress out of the group......There are fantastic games for us to look forward to over the next couple of months and every player always relishes the chance to play in the Champions League.