Morten Rasmussen has tipped Celtic to progress beyond his compatriots Copenhagen. The former Celtic striker spoke to the Scottish Sun about his former side’s chances against the Danish Champions ahead of Thursday’s Europa League Round of 32 clash in Copenhagen.
Despite revealing a major regret from his time at Celtic, Rasmussen supports Neil Lennon’s side as favourites to go through but he acknowledges that the Danes will be up for the contest on Thursday night.
“It’s going to be a big ask for Copenhagen to get through.
“The timing of the game isn’t good for them because the Danish season has just re-started after the winter break.
“Having played only one league game, which they lost last weekend, isn’t ideal preparation to face Celtic, who are on a good winning run.
“Copenhagen and ourselves are the two best teams in Denmark, but we are seven points ahead of them at the top of the table. When we met in November we won comfortably, 4-1. On Thursday, the stadium will be full, which will be good for FC Copenhagen.”
Rasmussen has teamed up with ex-Celt Erik Sviatchenko at FC Midtjylland, where the striker works as a coach. Midtjylland are currently top of the Danish Superliga and will be hoping that Celtic can inflict a morale crushing defeat over both legs will consolidate their position seven points clear.
Rasmussen reckons that a full stadium will give the home side hope but they will need to capitalise it before the daunting trip to Celtic Park. The striker, who spent two and a half years on Celtic’s books – albeit mainly spending time away on loan – revealed his great regret at never being able to experience a Celtic Park European atmosphere for himself.
“It will give them an advantage — but it won’t be anything like playing at Celtic Park.
“Not many places compare with Celtic Park on a European night. The atmosphere will be bigger and better in Glasgow and Copenhagen will have to deal with that.
“When I was at Celtic I didn’t play in any European ties and I regretted that.”
Rasmussen was signed in January 2010 by Neil Lennon but made just four starts for the Irishman in his time at the club prompting the club to sell him to Midtjylland in the summer of 2012. The thirteen-time capped Danish International reckons that his domestic rivals need a positive result on Thursday and a clean sheet to boost their chances of qualification.
“Copenhagen need to take a good result with them to Scotland to have a chance of going through.
“If they keep a clean sheet at home, they’ll still be in the tie.”
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