PARADISE CALLING

Neil Lennon on entertaining the ‘magnificent’ Celtic Park faithful, and the part the fans can and do play in the team’s success

- JOE DONNELLY

IT is said to the point of cliché, but the atmosphere at Celtic Park on a night of European competition is a joy to behold.

This week, Glasgow’s East End will be once more consumed by the glittering occasion, when the Hoops host Denmark’s FC Copenhagen for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last 32 encounter.

Last week, Neil Lennon’s men were held to a 1-1 draw in the Danish capital, which means they go into Thursday’s game with a slight advantage by virtue of an away goal. Still, the Irishman is taking nothing for granted ahead of what he expects to be a well-fought contest.

“It was really good to get the away goal against a good side,” said the manager in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “They put us under a lot of pressure in the second half over there, but I was disappointed in the manner with which we lost the goal. Looking at the chances we created, I was delighted with the quality of them.

“We know how important Europe is to the club. Progression won’t be easy, but we hope having the home advantage can spur us on. Our home form has been terrific this season, and it would be good to get the tie over and into the next round.”

Neil Lennon stressed that despite their heroics in the group-stages of this year’s competition – the Hoops having topped their group with 13 points, and having defeated Italian giants Lazio at home and away – Celtic have no divine right to progress, and will be judged on their performances on a game-by-game basis.