This proved a harrowing and unforeseen occasion for Celtic. Copenhagen weren’t wonderful - wonderful - but in truth they didn’t have to be. Neil Lennon watched his Scottish champions unpicked by a performance notable for its organisation. After Celtic had clawed their way back into proceedings with a penalty, as awarded by VAR, Copenhagen’s Pep Biel and Dame N’Doye sent their side into the Europa League’s next round. Comprehensively so, as it transpired.
Celtic’s domination of the early stages in Copenhagen had fuelled theories of a formality. Instead, the Danes responded forcefully; Fraser Forster’s penalty save prevented Copenhagen from bringing a lead to Glasgow. The opening exchanges of this second leg saw Stale Solbakken’s team perform in a manner which made Celtic appear ragged.