Copenhagen’s boss is a big fan of Celts hitman
Odsonne Edouard has received a timely vote of confidence – from a very unexpected source.
Celtic’s club-record signing had arguably his worst game in the Hoops on Thursday night, as they crashed out of Europe with an error-strewn loss to Copenhagen.
Stale Solbakken, manager of the Danes, however, saw enough over the 180 minutes of the tie to convince him the 22-year-old would soon be starring in England or Spain.
“He is obviously the main man. He is probably not going to be here next year,” said the former Wolves boss.
“You can see every time he is involved that he has something extra.
“We were better at keeping him quiet in Glasgow – though, of course, he converted their penalty – than we were in Parken. But I thought he got a little bit more tired.
“In the second half he didn’t have the same power as in the first half.
“We made it so that he was bumping into our back four. He needed to adjust to our defence, not the other way round.
“He controlled our back four in the first leg, in the return it was the other way round.
“As I say, though, he is a top player and he could play in every league.”
Solbakken owed a particular debt of gratitude for Copenhagen’s progress to the Europa League’s last16 to Karl Johan-Johnsson.
Copenhagen’s keeper pulled off a string of saves in the Danish capital to deny Edouard, who could otherwise have had a firsthalf hat-trick.
“I got some great feedback after that game, both from people within the club and the fans, too,” said Johan-Johnsson.
“I’m very happy for that and for the team, that we have gone through.
“I’m happy to have played my part, and I just hope that we can carry this form into our league games too.”
The Swedish internationalist admitted he did have more than a little good fortune with his stunning point-blank block of Leigh Griffiths’ effort.
“I don’t even know how it occurred,” said the goalie.
“I was laying down and then I tried to come up to my feet, throw out my hands and make myself as big as possible. “Luckily it hit me!” Johan-Johnsson likewise gave support to the theory that Celtic were far more nervous in their play than expected.
“They have been in such great form domestically, maybe the night was a little more tense and they felt the pressure,” he said.
“That was good for us, because they gave us a lot of space and we were calmer on the ball.
“In the first half in Copenhagen we did not do well. But now you see how we can play when we get the midfield on the ball.
“We were also calmer in the backline – the defence was very good.”