Lennon supportive of Copenhagen proposals

NEIL LENNON has endorsed Copenhagen’s plan to overhaul the Champions League qualifying process – and predicted Celtic could benefit from their suggested changes.

The Danish club have put forward proposals which would remove automatic entry to the lucrative group stage of Europe’s premier club competition for clubs in England, Germany, Italy and Spain.

If given the go-ahead – and the leading Premier League clubs are likely to oppose the recommendations – the Scottish champions would enter in the third qualifying round.

Lennon, whose team defeated Lazio home and away en route to the Europa League last-32 this season, believes the newlook tournament would be good for the triple treble winners.

“It would give you more time to prepare and a longer break in the summer,” he said. “It would give you a better chance of qualifying as well I think.”

Lennon will be without Ryan Christie, who is suspended, and Olivier Ntcham, who is injured, against Copenhagen tonight and admitted Tom Rogic could have an important role to play against Copenhagen tonight.

“You don’t like to lose him [Christie] because he’s a good player and he’s played really well the last couple of games so he’s a big loss,” he said. “I think the suspension is harsh.

“He [Rogic] has got a great chance of playing. He’s champing at the bit to play. He is certainly in our thoughts.

“I thought he played really well at the weekend. He’s a top player when he’s on form. He’s just had an ongoing issue with his knee and with the form of some other players he’s found it difficult to get regular game time, but he’s a great lad.”