WE’RE BITE UP FOR GETTING PAST DANES
CELTIC might have opened a vegan food stall at Parkhead but Neil Lennon’s men have been continental carnivores this season as they’ve feasted on some of the Europa League’s finest.
James Forrest admitted Celts had a taste for blood in Copenhagen last week but ended up making a meal of the Danes.
The Scottish champs gorged an early away goal and severed up several more chances on a plate before Copenhagen bit back in the second half.
Celtic walked away with a sour taste but a draw with an away goal in Europe is nothing to turn the noses up at and while the Danish champions won’t be easy meat in Glasgow, Forrest is out to make sure his side will join the top table in the last 16.
The winger said: “There were mixed feelings last week. It was a good result in hindsight because they missed a penalty but we had a lot of chances in the first half and we probably could have killed it.
“Away from home in Europe to get a 1-1 is a good result, and we’ve got the second leg now at home, but because we played well on the break and had a few chances it was a bit of a mixed night.
“But we got the away goal which is really important and we will be confident on Thursday.
“We know if we can keep it tight, defend from the front and defend as a team like we did in Copenhagen we’ve got a lot of good players who can hurt them.
“We made a lot of really good chances over there and could have scored more – and that’s a real positive for us.”
Celtic couldn’t be going into the return in much better form. There was no sign of any Euro fatigue on Sunday. Lennon freshened up his side and they clobbered Kilmarnock.
Forrest sat it out after picking up a slight knock in Denmark. Skipper Scott Brown also missed out with a calf problem.
But in came Tom Rogic, Leigh Griffiths returned and Ryan Christie started his second match on the spin after absence.
Forrest said: “The strength of the squad helps. We’ve got some real quality players in the team and ones who aren’t playing as well.
“The staff keep on at us all the time and when you’re still in Europe after Christmas and going for leagues and cups as well, everyone is right up for it.
“You have to play well to stay in the team too so I think that’s why everyone’s performances have been so good of late.”