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Neil Lennon hails Celtic Europa League draw as Copenhagen's winter break offers advantage – Daily Record, Dailyrecord.co.uk

Neil Lennon hails Celtic Europa League draw as Copenhagen's winter break offers advantage – Daily Record, Dailyrecord.co.uk


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Neil Lennon reckonsCeltichave landed a tasty Europa League last 32 tie as Copenhagen could be undercooked.

The Hoops boss brushed off talk his men will be red hot favorite when the side’s clash in February .

But he admitted his side might have a rare advantage with the Danish outfit facing Celts in the first leg just four days after returning from their winter break.

Celtic – who last night copped a £ (**************************************************************, UEFA fine for using flares in the group win againstLazioin Rome – are more used to catching Scandinavian sides in the qualifiers when their rivals are in mid-season.

The roles will be reversed for the knockout showdown and Lennon said: “It’s a good draw. We have avoided the Champions League teams coming down and what you would perceive as bigger clubs.

“But it’s still a team with good European pedigree, whether it be Champions League orEuropa League.

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Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy in action with FC Copenhagen’s Peter Ankersen

“So we will see how we are shaping up when February comes.

” Copenhagen have their winter break now and it’s quite a prolonged one. So that may work to our advantage or it may go against us, we’ll just need to see nearer the time.

“You are hoping they will be a little bit undercooked but you never know. But I think it’s a decent draw.

“It could have been better but it could have been worse.”

Copenhagan – who have former Arsenal and Rosenborg striker Nicklas Bendtner in their ranks – are second in the Danish league behind leaders Midtjylland, whoRangersrolled over in the qualifying rounds.

Lennon insisted he’ll cool talk of a stroll in to the last (**************************************************************.

He said: “You can’t think.” like that. They are a really good side, experienced at European level. So while it’s a good draw, you can also perceive it as a dangerous one.

“If people do have the idea that we are clear favorite, we have to shy away from that and just go and do a job.

“We will study a lot of Copenhagen over the next few weeks. But logistically it’s a good draw. We don’t have to travel that fair.

“Hopefully we will get a foothold in the tie over there before we bring them back here.

“Ultimately, I think it’s psychologically really good to have the second leg at home. We have earned that with topping the group.

“It’s been a good campaign so far and hopefully we can make further inroads.”

Lennon was a Hoops player when the sides last met –with Celtic winning 1-0 at Parkhead in the Champions League group stages before going down 3-1 in Denmark after Gordon Strachan’s side had already bagged a last (spot.

Copenhagen have the same boss as after Stale Solbakken returned for second spell and the Parkhead gaffer will lean on the experience.

Lennon said: “They were good. We beat them at Celtic Park in a tight game and then went over there when we had already qualified and they beat us 3-1. They were good that night, a big strong, powerful and athletic team.

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FC Copenhagen faced Celtic in 2006(Image: Daily Record)

“It’s a good stadium over there. I wouldn’t say it’s intimidating, or anything like that, but the facilities and pitch are good.

“Their manager is very experienced and is a bit of a cult figure there. ”

Celtic and Rangers are both in the last – and could even meet in the next round if they both progress and set up three Old Firm clashes in seven days next march.

But Lennon joked: “It would be carnage! I think I’d watch the games from Barbados! ”

The Celtic boss laughed off the prospect but he was serious about securing Nir Bitton on a new deal until

Lennon said: “I’m delighted. I like him a lot and he is coming into his peak years. He knows the club and has been here for a while.

“He has fulfilled his potential to a point but there is more to come. I think he can take more responsibility at times.

“He is talented and powerful. He’s playing really well after returning from his last injury.

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(Image: SNS Group)

“Bitton can play a few roles really well. Ultimately I see him as a midfield player but when he slots in at center half, it’s seamless for him.

“He’s good around the club as well, really popular with the boys, so we are very pleased. ”

Meanwhile Celtic copped a fourth UEFA punishment of the season – and 20 th in 16 years – with their latest fine.

Parkhead chiefs were ordered to stump up another £ 16, 12 for fireworks in Rome, having also been been charged for illicit banners and chanting in the Glasgow leg of the bad-tempered clashes.

Lazio were also hit for £ 10, 13 for pyro a nd throwing objects on the pitch in last month’s showdown when Celts dumped the Serie A side 2-1 in the Eternal City.

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