Celtic entertain FC Copenhagen knowing that victory is vital if they harbour aspirations of reaching the last 16.
Gordon Strachan’s side came away from Manchester United with their reputations enhanced, but no points following their 3-2 defeat.
The Celtic coach refuses to underestimate the team which knocked out Ajax in the third qualifying round.
“They won’t be underdogs to us,” said Strachan.
“Any team that beats Ajax is not bad, so I think they’ve blown away that underdog tag. They have great physical strength and height in their team. We will have to try and impose our personality on the game and hopefully that will do us.”
Dutch forward Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is struggling with an ankle injury sustained in Saturday’s 2-0 win over arch-rivals Rangers. Maciej ?urawski and Craig Beattie are on stand-by should the striker fail a late fitness test.
“We will wait, but if he can’t make it we have other people who can come in,” Strachan added. “We would lose a good player but have another one coming in.”
Jesper Gronkjær is out for the visitors having aggravated a groin injury in their 0-0 opening-night draw with Benfica a fortnight ago. But better news for coach Stale Solbakken comes with the return from suspension of striker Marcus Allback.
“We have come here to get three points and we can manage that if we play to our best,” said Solbakken.
Probable teams
Celtic:
Artur Boruc; Paul Telfer, Gary Caldwell, Stephen McManus, Lee Naylor; Shunsuke Nakamura, Thomas Gravesen, Neil Lennon, Aiden McGeady; Kenny Miller, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink/ Maciej ?urawski.
FC Copenhagen:
Jesper Christiansen; Lars Jacobsen, Brede Hangeland, Michael Gravgaard, Andre Bergdolmo; William Kvist, Michael Silberbauer, Tobias Linderoth, Hjalte Norregaard, Atiba Hutchinson; Marcus Allbäck.
