Defender Tore in fight for fitness

ROSENBORG are sweating over the fitness of key defender Tore Reginiussen ahead of their Champions League decider against Celtic next Wednesday.

The towering stalwart, who boasts 22 caps for Norway, was a rock for the visitors at Parkhead during their 0-0 draw but had to be replaced after 65 minutes due to a thigh strain.

Reginiussen, 31, went for a scan yesterday to ascertain the extent of the damage and, as Rosenborg nervously await the outcome, he is considered a major doubt for the second leg at the Lerkendal Stadion.

The absence of former Schalke man Reginiussen, who has been a key player for the club since 2012, would be a hammer blow for Kare Ingebrigtsen’s side.

Ingebrigtsen stated: “He got a little knock on the back of his thigh and we should know more in the next couple of days.”

A disappointed Reginiussen added: “I felt something happen, but it is hard to say if I have stretched anything serious or whether it was just cramp. We will need to investigate more.”

Meanwhile, the experienced stopper insists Rosenborg can take advantage of Celtic’s woes on the road in Europe.

The Hoops have won just four of their last 24 fixtures and were beaten 2-0 on their last visit to Trondheim in 2001.

After counting themselves unlucky to only claim a 0-0 draw in Glasgow this week, Reginiussen says Rosenborg are ready to extend their away-day blues.

He said: “We have seen already that, on a good day, we matched Celtic and were able to create trouble for them.

“So, at home at Lerkendal we will have a lot of confidence. It is our home and a place where we have delivered many special matches, while Celtic has a bit of trouble away in Europe.

“Of course, they may score – which would make it difficult – but the bottom line is we go out to win the match and we have every opportunity to do that.”