ROSENBORG will want to celebrate their Great Escape when they face Celtic in the Champions League first leg qualifier at Parkhead on Wednesday.
That is the view of Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny who saw his Irish part-timers eliminated by the Norwegians in the previous round 3-2 on aggregate after extra-time.
But his plucky outfit almost knocked out their hosts with a shot that clattered the crossbar in the extra period. A couple of inches prevented them from going through on the goals-away rule.
And Kenny reckons a relieved Rosenborg will want to capitalise on their stroke of good fortune.
The former Dunfermline gaffer said: “Rosenborg were under pressure and favourites to go through against us. But against Celtic, that pressure won’t be there.
“They know even if Celtic beat them, they go into a Europa League play-off, so the expectation will be lower going into the game. They will be somewhat relieved to have gone through against us.
“Celtic are favourites, but it won’t be a formality. Rosenborg are also in the middle of their season which always helps.
“You wouldn’t underestimate them. They are double double-winners and most of their players have been capped by either Norway or Denmark.
“They play 4-3-3 – the system has served them for the last two decades and they’ve been in the group stages of either the Champions or Europa Leagues in 15 of the last 21 years.
“I managed against them with Bohemians in 2004 when they were really flying and we were well beaten 4-0 on aggregate. They aren’t as strong now, but still deserve a level of respect.
“Celtic have been on a great run and it’s one of those games people are expecting them to win, but it won’t be easy.”
