CELTIC have been told there is ‘no chance’ of Linfield causing a European upset.

But perhaps someone should tell the Belfast men just that because they are beginning to fantasise about what would happen to them were they to make history.

According to Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, whose team were thumped 9-0 by the Parkhead men in Dublin last Saturday, the Northern Ireland champions won’t get near an opponent with no apparent weakness.

Celtic are at Windsor Park on Friday for a Champions League second qualifying round clash against Linfield which feels to have been hypoed up for years rather than weeks.

But while such early European matches can be fraught with danger, Bradley believes that Brendan Rodgers and his players won’t encounter any real problems.

Bradley said: “Brendan's team are a well-oiled machine and it's the best Celtic team I have seen in a number of years. They are playing exciting football and are very professional in everything they do.

"I can't give Linfield a chance of beating them. Celtic are so fit, strong and sharp that I couldn't pick out any weakness in their side. They are looking really focused and hungry too."

"Saturday’s match was very difficult for the young lads. Not many teams could live with Celtic when they are that good. It was a tough game for us."

So that’s all sorted then. Celtic will cruise it over two games with nothing to worry about.

Well, Linfield may have something to say about this.

David Healy for one is allowing himself to dream about another Windsor Park miracle.

Linfield’s manager has given the old stadium in Belfast some of its most famous nights. From his record 36 goals in the green of his country, a winner against England and hat-trick against Spain stand out.

The much-anticipated match with Celtic is now only days away. Healy does not deny his side are very much the under-dogs; however, he's beginning to think what it would mean if his club could pull off what would be their most famous result.

The country’s all-time top goalscorer for the national team knows that his part-timers would have to enjoy some good fortune to go along with the performances of their lives over two legs.

But he cannot and will not rule out what would be one the greatest shocks in European football for some time.

Healy said: “There have been some big shocks in this stadium and you can always dream about it - of course you can. I am not going to lie and say that you don't think about these things.

“However, I am also a realist. We will need to perform to our complete maximum - and more - and Celtic will have to under-perform for us to get a result. However, shocks happen all the time in football.

"That is why people enjoy it and supporters go along and watch different teams because shocks and upsets can occur. Football sometimes has a habit of throwing up a mysterious result.

“I wish it was tomorrow to be honest and the players feel the same. Even though we only got through last week against La Fiorita, it seems like this game has been talked about for a lot longer. I'm excited and I want my players to enjoy it because that's what I'm going to try to do.

"It is a wee bit stressful thinking about the formation, who you are going to leave out of the squad, what changes you are going to make, but that's why I'm manager of this club and it is such a huge draw which is great for the players, club and supporters as we might never get the opportunity to play Celtic again in the Champions League.

"We need the players to be at their maximum and they will be. I have no hesitation in saying that.”

This is a one-off and Healy knows it, and a chance for his players to become immortal.

That is, if course, not enough to beat such a strong opponent but when so much could be won, it does act as a huge incentive.

"My players might never get this opportunity again. I can't imagine we will play Celtic in too many friendlies," Healy said.

“So to have the opportunity to play a Champions League match against a club the size of Celtic, and the stature of Glasgow Celtic, should be an occasion to relish and enjoy.

"My group are looking forward to this challenge.

"The atmosphere on Friday night will be huge. I just hope we don't go out and end up like rabbits in the headlights. That's my only concern about Friday."

For all the rivalry which be very much in evidence come Friday, the respect Healy has for Brendan Rodgers is equally evident.

Healy said: "I'm looking forward to seeing him. In my eyes, Brendan has done an incredible job not only at Celtic but throughout his coaching career.

"He worked his socks off at an early age so he deserves all the accolades.

"A few years back he came within a couple of games of winning the Premier League with Liverpool which they haven't looked like doing for decades. That's how good he is.”