LENNON Let’s raise the roof
CELTIC v COPENHAGEN
NEIL LENNON has urged Celtic to raise the roof at Parkhead tonight – and insists they could one day shatter a glass ceiling by going all the way to another Euro final.
Celtic will secure a place in the last 16 of the Europa League if they finish off the job they started against FC Copenhagen with last week’s 1-1 draw in Denmark.
Boss Lennon stopped short of backing his champions to go all the way to the final in Gdansk this May but insists it is not unrealistic to believe his side could in time
emulate the club’s historic run to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in 2003.
He said: “I was once asked if the last 16 of the Champions League is a glass ceiling for Scottish teams.
“I always think that some day some team will come along and break that ceiling.
“I always think that maybe one day a Scottish team will get to another final, a Europa League Final anyway.
“I’m hoping that’s going to be the case as we build.
“But right now I just want to get to the last 16 and take it from there.
“Who knows? We could get a doozy of a draw – but that’s the exciting bit as well.”
Lennon hopes that the return of skipper Scott Brown and Australian playmaker Tom Rogic will help see his team through.
Brown is fit again after he limped out of the first leg with a damaged calf and missed Sunday’s Premiership win over Kilmarnock, while Rogic looks set to replace the suspended Ryan Christie. He said: “You know how influential Broonie is to the team with the way he plays.
“To have him back is a massive boost. I thought we got a little bit ragged in the second half over there and just lost that calming influence a little bit as well which is what he brings.
“As for Tom, he’s got a great chance of playing.
“I thought he played really well at the weekend.
“He’s a top player when he’s on form but he’s just had an ongoing issue with his knee and together with the form of some other players he has found it difficult to get regular game time.
“He’s champing at the bit to play. He is certainly in our thoughts.
“He’s a great lad. He’s very talented and we’ll need a bit of creativity tomorrow, maybe someone to unlock the door, and Tom’s that type of player who can do that.”