Solbakken believes Danes can pull off a shock at Parkhead

STÅLE SOLBAKKEN last night claimed that Celtic will face a major psychological headache even if they edge ahead in tonight’s return leg. The FC Copenhagen manager concedes his side have travelled to Glasgow as outsiders to progress into the last 16 of the Europa League on the back of a 1-1 draw in the Parken Stadium a week ago. But having lost no more than one goal on the road in their last 12 European matches, former Wolves boss Solbakken feels the outcome of the tie will remain finely balanced for as long as his side keep Neil Lennon’s men within sight. ‘It’s not over until it’s over,’ said the 51-year-old. ‘It looks over but it’s not over. We don’t see it as a bonus, we see it as a possibility. ‘The odds have crept a little bit more to Celtic’s side after their away goal. ‘That’s natural but we know we have scored at away grounds this season. Not many but we have scored. ‘It’s a bit of dilemma to Celtic — what do they do if it’s quite even? If they score first, then we score the next, it’s even, so there’s also a little bit of psychology in it.’ Copenhagen defeated The New Saints and drew with Red Star Belgrade away from home in the Champions League qualifiers before dropping into the Europa League. They suffered a 1-0 defeat in Riga in the play-off round — though won the tie 3-2 on aggregate — before groupstage draws with Dynamo Kiev and Malmo were followed by a win on the road against Lugano. And their manager believes his side can yet conjure up another impressive result to stun the Scottish champions. ‘We are satisfied with what we have done in Europe this season,’ added Solbakken (pictured). ‘It’s always important for us to win games. When a Scottish team meets a Danish team, there will be times where the Scots have a more settled team and the Danish team doesn’t, and the opposite. ‘I think they (Celtic) now really believe and trust, and have won ten (domestic games) in a row. They are more on a high than we are but there is nobody in that dressing room who doesn’t believe it can’t happen. ‘It has been a difficult season in many aspects — injuries in all positions and never really having a stable team and playing every three days. But we’ve still made it a fight.’ In charge at the club for seven years now, Solbakken has enjoyed a happy habit of getting his side punching above its weight in Europe. Asked what the reason for that was, he replied: ‘The players have changed and the coach is the same! ‘Seriously, we have brought a culture into the club, in terms of demanding results. We are doing it for one reason and that’s to win, no other reason. ‘We have a lot of wisdom inside the club culture-wise, in terms of the leaders and all the things you need to take extra care of in games like this.’ Copenhagen have struggled domestically since returning from their winter break, losing to Esbjerg and drawing with Silkeborg to leave them nine points off the pace in their domestic league. Asked if tonight’s game was less of a priority than the weekend clash with Aalborg, Solbakken replied: ‘Now we are here, we don’t think about Sunday. We don’t have any priority, we just have to win every game.’ For Jens Stage, the man who had his VAR-awarded penalty saved by Fraser Forster, tonight’s game represents an opportunity for atonement. ‘I felt, in the first half, we didn’t really believe in ourselves,’ reflected the midfielder. ‘From the second half, it was like everybody got a confidence boost and we kept following the game plan, only with confidence. ‘I think the atmosphere in Copenhagen was amazing and it’ll be amazing here.’