Europa League: Dinamo Zagreb 'here to win' - Josip Simunic

Dinamo Zagreb captain Josip Simunic says the Croatian champions have "come here to win" as he looks forward to facing Celtic in the Europa League.

The 36-year-old's team lead Group D after crushing Romanian outfit Astra 5-1 in their opening game.

Scottish champions Celtic, who have been inconsistent domestically, opened with a draw in Salzburg.

"We're expecting a very difficult game," Simunic said. "But we didn't come here to lose."

It is 12 games since Dinamo have suffered a defeat, losing 2-0 to Aalborg in the third qualifying round of the Champions League to undo a 1-0 win in Denmark.

Celtic dropped into the Europa League after their defeat by unfancied Maribor and presently lie fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

But defender Simunic said: "Celtic are always strong. I watched Celtic as a child in Australia, I was born and bred there.

"Celtic are a huge club. Everyone knows that."

The veteran former Hamburg, Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim defender has only played once before in Scotland - when he earned one of his 105 caps for Croatia in a friendly.

"Maybe at the moment Celtic are not doing the best they can, but we are expecting a big, fanatical crowd and we are going to do our best," he added.

"We've looked at them a few times and they are very good.

"We know where they are strong and where their weaknesses are and we'll see what happens tomorrow."