Key duo remain a doubt for Celtic as Forrest hands Lennon selection boost

Neil Lennon has revealed that Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham face a race against time to make the starting line-up against Copenhagen at Parkhead tonight as reported by The Irish Post.

One player who should be fit and available for selection is James Forrest as Celtic look to seal their place in the last 16 after a credible – if underwhelming – 1-1 draw in the first leg in Denmark.

The Hoops gaffer said of the important trio:

“Jamesy should be fine but we will have to wait and see with the other two, Thursday is huge. It’s Celtic Park under the lights. It’s something for the players to look forward to against a very good side.”

“Going in 1-0 at half-time over there I felt we could’ve been two or three up. I thought we had good control of the first half. We gave away a poor goal from our point of view and it gave Copenhagen a huge lift psychologically.”

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

Celtic could, and should, have won the first-leg but it was a sensational spot-kick save from Fraser Forster that meant that Lennon’s men should have an easier time of it in Glasgow, with the Hoops already in front on the away goal rule Copenhagen will have to be more proactive which could leave space for Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths to exploit.

Copenhagen will have to adapt and cope with Celtic probably returning to their dominant 3-5-2 formation that has seen them win every domestic game in 2020, an altogether different threat to the one that they faced on their own patch.

Few would back against the Parkhead side progressing, with Danish bookies having Copenhagen at 9/1 for a 90 minute victory and 6/1 for a draw – the odds are well and truly against them.