WE’LL TAKE CHANCE TO STUN CELTS
STEPHEN O’DONNELL skippered the Dundalk side who shocked their way to the Europa League group stage last season.
Now the former Falkirk midfielder is determined to knock out Rosenborg to set up a dream Champions League clash with Celtic.
The Irish side drew 1-1 against the Norwegians in the second qualifying round first leg at Oriel Park on Wednesday night.
Now O’Donnell reckons Stephen Kenny’s side can complete the job in Scandinavia in Wednesday’s return leg.
O’Donnell said: “My Twitter feed went into overdrive when the Champions League draw was made yesterday.
“We now have a massive incentive to go to Norway and get a result knowing the winners are likely to face Celtic in the next round.
“We’re massive underdogs for the Rosenborg game after drawing 1-1 at home. But we’re certainly not out of this tie.
“Nobody ever fancies Dundalk in any European game. We’re well used to the underdog tag but we are more than capable of holding our own in Norway.
“Getting to the Europa League group stage last season was a fantastic achievement for Dundalk.
“With the budget we have we really shouldn’t stand a chance of competing at this level.
“That’s why Celtic in the Champions League would be a huge occasion for the club. I’d love to play at Celtic Park in front of a full house on a European night. That would be really special.”
O’Donnell has caused ROSENBORG Formed: 1917 Stadium: Lerkendal Stadion Capacity: 21,405 Mamager: Kare Ingebrigtsen Honours: Norwegian League winners 24 times. Norwegian Cup winners 11 times DUNDALK Formed: 1903 Satdium: Oriel Park Capacity: 4500 Manager: Stephen Kenny Honours: Irish League winners 12 times. Irish Cup winners 10 times Celtic problems before as he was part of John Hughes’s Bairns side that beat Gordon Strachan’s Hoops in the League Cup at Parkhead in 2006.
O’Donnell netted a penalty in a 5-4 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw.
The 31-year-old said: “I’ve played at Parkhead a few times for Falkirk. I actually scored a penalty when we put them out of the League Cup.
“But Celtic are an entirely different proposition now under Brendan Rodgers.
“They’ve just won an Invincible Treble and I thought they did well in their Champions League group last season.
“We would be under no illusions as to what we would be facing if we do play Celtic.”
Rosenborg currently sit five points clear at the top of the Norwegian table after 16 matches and have lost just once at home in all competitions this season.