Celtic in for “comfortable” night as Copenhagen come to Paradise claims Sky Sports pundit

Sky Sports pundit and former Celtic striker, Charlie Nicholas, is back with his Europa League predictions and, surprisingly, he has backed his old team to win according to an article in The Daily Record.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Nicholas reveals why he thinks the Hoops will run out 2-0 winners at Parkhead and book their passage into the last 16.

So what has Nicholas said?

When asked for his predictions prior to Thursday night’s game in which Celtic have an away goal in the 1-1 aggregate score, he said:

“The Premiership is in the bag for Celtic and I think this will be a comfortable European night. Copenhagen have no pace up front and little quality in the centre-back department.”

“Dame N’Doye scored against Celtic – he is a handful but Celtic could play a high line without getting too worried.”

“The two Copenhagen midfielders are decent talents but the rest, I think, are average.”

So is Nicholas correct?

For once, yes, Celtic made hard work of the first-leg and let Copenhagen off the hook, particularly in the opening period and will be looking to make amends to put the tie to bed early doors in the return fixture.

It’s no coincidence that Neil Lennon’s men didn’t look at their fluent best as they reverted back to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the absence of, the much reformed, Leigh Griffiths with Jonny Hayes and Jeremie Frimpong not having the greatest nights down either flank.

Griff will be back to lead the line in tandem with Odsonne Edouard and as a result it should see a comfortable night for the Bhoys with Nicholas’ 2-0 prediction potentially on the conservative side.

Lennon will hope to have Scott Brown and James Forrest available again after the pair missed the weekend victory over Kilmarnock, however, he has able deputies should they not make the line-up.

Nicholas has rarely backed his boyhood club throughout the Europa League campaign, but on this occasion, even someone who should’ve gone to Specsavers could see that there is only going to be one outcome.