Rosenborg skipper Mike Jensen insists Celtic are favourites to progress in Champions League qualifier
The Hoops welcome the Norwegian giants to Parkhead tonight in the first leg of the Euro double header
Last updated 25th Jul 2018
Rosenborg captain Mike Jensen says Celtic are favourites to progress from their Championship League second-qualifying round tie.
The clubs clashed in a Euro qualifier last season and it took a solitary James Forrest goal in Trondheim to send Brendan Rodgers' side through 1-0 on aggregate.
Jensen, 30, claimed Rosenborg had a "small chance'' going into the clash at Parkhead tonight.
When asked if that meant he considered the Scottish champions favourites to get through to play AEK Athens in the next round, he said: "I would say that, yes. We played Europa League last year and they played Champions League - and they beat us.
"Celtic is a bigger club and it's an advantage to them that the first game is here. But we are really looking forward to the game.
"Last year we should have scored a goal. We were happy in how we played, but football is small margins and we needed a little bit more quality and luck and maybe we could have won the first leg.
"You have to work hard for those small margins and we will do that on Wednesday night.''
The Denmark international refused to discuss the managerial upheaval which saw academy director Rini Coolen put in charge of the Norwegian club last week after Kare Ingebrigsten and his assistant Erik Hoftun were sacked following the narrow win over Valur of Iceland.
The controversial decision led to the Rosenborg players issuing a statement in which they "vehemently disagreed'' with the move.
Asked about the departure of his former manager, Jensen just said: "We are really looking forward to the game.
"We are excited. It was a great experience when we were here last year and we are looking forward to the game.''
Asked if any problems with the board had been solved, he replied: "I have no comment on that. Let's discuss the game tomorrow.''
Coolen, who expects to return to his academy post at the end of the season, admitted he was in a strange position.
The Dutchman said: "There are a lot of surprises in football. I was not celebrating when the situation came about, but I am honoured to be asked to take over.
"I've been working hard with the players over the last few days.
"I have used all the time we have in the last three days and we will be ready.
"We will see tomorrow what the outcome will be."