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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Why Midtjylland fear they're Celtic 'underdogs' as transfer vultures swoop for 4 key players

A crumb of comfort to some Celtic fans is their team won't be the only one going into battle on Tuesday night with a number of questions marks lingering overhead.

In fact, their opponents FC Midtjylland could well have a case that their squad is even LESS prepared for a Champions League scrap.

No fewer than four first team stars were left out of the 'Wolves' squad when they faced Odense in the Superliga opener on Friday night and lost 2-1.

It's a poor start to a campaign in which manager Bo Henriksen's side are desperate to take back the title from Brondby having missed out by a single point.

He said: "Against Celtic, we are underdogs, while against Odense we were probably huge favourites.

"So things have been turned on their head a bit.

"We are really looking forward to getting over there and playing on a stage like this is what we dream of.

"I expect us to defend better. We will have to. It’s also going to be important to take whatever chances we get, which is something we didn’t do here."

Henriksen appears keen to craft an image of a team up against it on Tuesday night as he puts minimal expectations on his charges for the Parkhead clash.

But does he have reason to truly believe his side are as bedraggled as he makes out?

There have been few updates but it appears star midfielder Frank Onyeka now awaits only a work permit to rubber stamp his move to Brentford – their newly minted Premier League sister club by virtue of mutual owner Matthew Benham.

Jordan Henderson feels the full force of Jens-Lyn Cajuste (PA)

Jens Cajuste, the 21-year-old Swede and young jewel in the crown, is also destined for bigger things and the Bees are again keen but this time they've got competition in the shape of Rennes, among others.

Neither of those players featured in Friday night's loss.

Nor did Australian international Awer Mabil, who has been given extended leave from pre-season despite being a player Ange Postecoglou highlighted as a danger man some weeks ago. He is reportedly homesick and will only return to Denmark when it's time to secure his next move.

And finally the same goes for striker Sory Kaba – Ekstrabladet claim he's set on a move back to Spain where he enjoyed fruitful spells with Elche and has played his final game.

All four were regulars towards the tail end of last season and the report from Denmark claims bids are in for all four, explaining their absences throughout pre-season and at the weekend, as well as Cajuste's involvement with Sweden at Euro 2020.

But on the face of it, it looks like Henriksen may well have a point.

Do you want an exclusive pre-season Celtic preview - both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy.

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