Solskjaer applauds Lennon’s Hibs revolution

MOLDE manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted to arrive in Scotland with his most coveted player, but he downplayed Hibs’ loss of John McGinn.

Teenage striker Erling Braut Haaland is in the Molde squad for the first leg of the third qualifying round despite holding talks with Red Bull Salzburg, while Hibs head coach, Ulsterman Neil Lennon, has prepared without McGinn after Aston Villa moved for the Scotland midfielder.

The 23-year-old joined Steve Bruce’s side for an undisclosed fee, penning a four-year deal.

Manchester United legend Solskjaer said: “He has been one of the main drivers of their attack- play, but I don’t think it will be too different because we come here against a team who are very good at home, loads of enthusiasm, supporters behind their back, and the 3-5-2 is not a normal system for us to play against, so that will cause us a challenge.

“Neil has got the team playing. As he said back when he came in, these boys need toughening up, and he has toughened them up.

“Their last home defeat was in December so they have made Easter Road a difficult place to come.

“I hope it’s going to be full because my players rise to those kinds of challenges.”

Haaland, the son of former Manchester City player Alf-Inge Haaland, has scored seven goals in his last five Molde games, and Solskjaer — whose side previously accounted for Glenavon — is tipping the 18-year-old for the top.

“He’s here, he’ll be involved,” the 45-year-old said. “Of course there’s been loads said about him but he’s a young kid who has had many, many big clubs looking at him, some bids. We have accepted a bid and he’s chewing on a contract offer from them but he’s still one of my players. We’ve not had an offer from Man United.”