COPENHAGEN CELTIC

Neil Lennon admits Celtic should have left themselves in a stronger position following their 1-1 Europa League draw with FC Copenhagen in which Fraser Forster saved a VAR-awarded penalty.

On a perishing night in the Parken Stadium, Odsonne Edouard missed a couple of early chances before scoring with his third opportunity in the 14th minute, and the Scottish champions bossed the rest of the first half.

However, the home side fought back and Senegal striker Dame N’Doye levelled in the 52nd minute.

Celtic experienced VAR for the first time in a competitive game as Russian referee Sergei Karasev used a pitchside monitor before awarding Copenhagen a penalty in the 78th minute after a Ryan Christie hand ball, but Forster tipped Jens Stage’s penalty onto a post and away.

Lennon said: “I am disappointed if I’m honest that we aren’t ahead in the tie. I thought we had good control of the first half and going in 1-0 at half-time I thought we could have been maybe two or three up.

“We gave away a poor goal from our point of view and it gave Copenhagen a huge lift psychologically.

“But on the counter-attack we had some great chances in the second half as well, so I’m disappointed we haven’t come away with more goals.

“I think most people would have taken that before the game. It was a partisan crowd, a difficult atmosphere to play in, it’s loud.

“I thought in the main the players handled it pretty well, just in the last 20 minutes they had to dig in, dig deep and show some resilience.”

Forster saved his fourth penalty out of seven this season, and Lennon said: “He’s brilliant. I have no real complaint about the penalty, it does come off Ryan’s arm in an unnatural position. But credit to Fraser for the save.”

Neil Lennon