Here’s a summary of what he had to say…
Firstly, the manager gave an update on team news…
“This man next to me [Scott Arfield] is available. He’s trained the last couple of days and come through and looked very good, so he is available.
“Ryan Jack won’t make it tomorrow. [Filip] Helander played in a reserve game last night, played 45 minutes and came through okay.
“Jermain Defoe is going to be out for a minimum, couple of weeks. He has a calf problem.
“James Tavernier never trained today as he still has a foot problem, but we will give James every chance and we will wait until the last minute on James and go from there.”
He was then asked how excited he was by tomorrow’s tie…
“Very excited. I think it is a fantastic game for my staff, myself, the players and our supporters. Together, we have earned this chance and earned the right.
“We have done ever-so well since the first qualifying round – we are the only team left in it from that stage, so of course, we are very excited and really looking forward to the game.”
And if the team will have to take advantage of having the crowd behind them in the first-leg…
“Yeah, always. I think the crowd will definitely be with us and they really appreciate the work and the effort that has gone in to get us to this stage.
“These were the nights they wanted when I first came in the door, and getting pride back in European competition.
“The players have earned that so I am sure the fans are going to be right behind them and I’m sure we are going to need them.”
What he has made of Leverkusen…
“I know they are a fantastic team, and I think anyone who is sitting in the top-four of the Bundesliga, you have to respect instantly.
“I think the German league is one of the strongest leagues in the world, and this is a team which is competing with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig, who have shown over the last two or three weeks in the Champions League that they compete with the top teams in the Premier League.
“So we know what we are dealing with and we know the challenge. This is a challenge we all want to look forward to, relish and go and give our best shot.”
How confident he is the team can reach the level they showed against Braga…
“I think we will find a performance. I can see the boys are focused in the preparation. They have been lively in the last couple of sessions so we all know we are going to have to find a performance to compete with this level of opposition. Sometimes it takes an opposition like this to find your best, and let’s hope that’s the case.”