Luis Enrique dismisses rumours of Messi move to Manchester City

Luis Enrique has denied any knowledge of speculation linking Lionel Messi with Manchester City. Messi is expected to return to the Barcelona team for the match against Celtic in Glasgow on Wednesday evening, having missed the weekend draw against Malaga through illness.

Reports have suggested that City are ready to move for Messi.

“I don’t know. I have no idea,” the Barcelona manager said curtly. “Lionel is always ready to play and I’m sure he will be ready to face Celtic. He is 100 per cent and eager to give the best version of himself.”

Enrique expects Gerard Pique to recover from the foot problem that ruled him out of Malaga's visit to the Camp Nou. He also dismissed any notion that his players could repeat September's victory, when Celtic were swatted aside 7-0.

“It’s going to be a different game,” Luis Enrique said. “What happened in September is not a reference to what will happen in Glasgow. Celtic have changed their style since then.

“We have to be ready for everything from Celtic – high pressure or low pressure – but it’s going to be a different story altogether from the last time.

“It’s always good to score early, and Celtic need points, so they will come out, but I believe it won’t be anything like the last time.

“Celtic’s stadium is a great place. It is a stadium players want to play in. There is a great atmosphere, a great crowd, and I will tell my players to enjoy it, and if they do then we will get to the next round.”

On the wider issue of a relatively low-key start to the season, Enrique was similarly dismissive.

“We are 12 games in the league and five in Europe,” he said. “It is November. We are not yet at Christmas, so there is a long time to go.”

– Guardian service