Former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas believes Neil Lennon’s side have a ‘remarkable’ way of digging themselves out of difficult matches and has predicted victory over Copenhagen in the Europa League Round of 32, speaking to Sky Sports.
Celtic travel to Denmark this week for the first leg of the doubleheader, hoping to take a positive result back to Glasgow the following Thursday.
Nicholas has warned there is still a ‘vulnerability’ about the Hoops away from home in Europe, despite victory against Lazio.
He believes the upcoming encounter at Telia Parken will finish 1-1 but has tipped his old team to eventually progress into the last 16.
As quoted by Sky Sports, he said: “Because Celtic are going so well domestically, they must focus and prepare correctly for this clash. They did not play well but got the win at Aberdeen, and this is a remarkable team for getting themselves out of holes. Copenhagen have lost three in a row, and there are a few players struggling with injury.
“I expect Celtic to go through over two legs and they are favourites. Celtic have improved in Europe, taking the scalps of Lazio twice was a big turning point for them. There is still vulnerability away from home in Europe, so it is how they manage that which will be the key.”
Making it past a European knockout round would be massive for the club and for supporters. It’s a tantalising, exciting prospect.
Remarkably it hasn’t happened since the 2003/04 season when Martin O’Neill’s side made it past Teplice and Barcelona before a heartbreaking quarter-final defeat against Villarreal.
The Copenhagen tie is definitely winnable but Lennon’s team will need to be at their absolute best and certainly better than Sunday’s performance against Aberdeen.
Like Nicholas though, I truly believe we can look forward to a last 16 match.
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