ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Neil Lennon on the excitement of European competition and why Pittodrie was perfect preparation for FC Copenhagen.

- JOE DONNELLY

WHEN Celtic drew Lazio, Rennes and CFR Cluj in the group stages of this year’s UEFA Europa League, some mainstream commentators wrote off progression to the competition’s knockout round of 32.

Despite the Scottish champions’ Treble Treble success last campaign, not to mention the fact the Hoops had secured European football after Christmas for two years running, getting out of Group E, for some, seemed unlikely.

After all, it boasted the Coppa Italia holders, the French Cup winners – who beat Paris Saint-Germain in the final, no less – and Dan Petrescu’s CFR Cluj, who had already eliminated Celtic from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers earlier that month.

Fast forward three months and Celtic had not only qualified, they also secured first place with a game to spare. They defeated Lazio 2-1 at home and away to record the club’s first ever competitive win on Italian soil, took three off Rennes at Celtic Park, the French side scoring a late consolation goal in the dying minutes, and made amends for their prior Cluj defeat with a comprehensive 2-0 win over the Romanian outfit at Paradise.

Now off the back of nine domestic wins in a row 2020, Neil Lennon’s men travel to Denmark on Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 32 clash with FC Copenhagen with a spring in their step.

The Irishman said he feels the highs and lows of victory and defeat more distinctly as Celtic manager than he did as a player, but explained that he still gets as excited by the prospect of high-profile European ties.