Charlie Mulgrew wants a dream Champions League date with Manchester United when Celtic go into the hat for last 16 in Switzerland on Thursday.

Manager Neil Lennon hopes to be present in Nyon when Celtic discovers their knockout stage opponents after recent heroics against Barcelona and Spartak Moscow.

United are one of the eight top seeded teams they could face for a place in the quarterfinals and Mulgrew would love to go to Old Trafford.

He said, “I would like Manchester United, personally. Whoever it is, it is going to be hard for us and we will need to be prepared. But I would like Manchester United, it would be a Battle of Britain type of game.

“I have watched them but I have never been involved in them so that would be my choice. You have to believe in yourself, whoever you get is going to be difficult, we are not making any mistakes about that.

“We did get a result against Barcelona here but it is different types of football we are up against, it is Manchester United so it would be hard.

“I am not going to say I fancy my chances against Manchester United but I am sure we will compete and do everything we can to get a result.”

Celtic returned to winning ways at home in the league when they saw off St. Mirren on a 2-0 scoreline at Parkhead on Saturday.

Midfielder Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper got the goals but manager Neil Lennon knows plenty more chances were missed as his team secured their fourth victory in succession.

“I would like to see us put teams away a little bit earlier,” said Lennon. “If that comes then I think we will be rampant.

“There was a good focus and intensity to our play and I am glad to see Hooper scoring again. He is looking a lot sharper and trimmer and looks like he has the bit between his teeth so I was delighted he got his goal.

“Some of our play was very good. The formation seems to work with us, there was nothing stodgy about our play, we created good, clear-cut chances and with better finishing could have won the game more handsomely.”

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig has said he is unaware of any interest from Russian club Rubin Kazan regarding a January transfer.