ARILD Stavrum, the former Molde player and head coach, has warned his countryman Ronny Deila that he expects the Group A leaders to provide dangerous opposition for Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday night. While the Parkhead side still find themselves embroiled in at least some sort of challenge with Aberdeen for the Ladbrokes Premiership title, Molde have already admitted defeat in their attempts to reclaim the Norwegian Tippeligaen title. Erling Moe's side currently sit seventh in the 16-team top flight, a comfortable mid-table position which has allowed them to devote all their energies towards European competition. An away in against Fenerbahce and home draw with Ajax in this group thus far proves they are more than competitive and Stavrum expects more of the same on Thursday night.
"The best Norwegian teams can beat big European teams like Celtic and Fenerbahce," Stavrum told Herald Sport. "Especially with a team like Molde who are not in so much contention in their league. They can focus 100% on the Europa League and that is why they are at their best in Europe at the moment, not in the league, so I think they can absolutely present Celtic with a tough game.
"Celtic have two matches with Molde, with the challenge of Aberdeen between them," added the former Aberdeen and Besiktas striker, who is now a novelist in his homeland. "So they need to focus extremely on the Aberdeen game as well, and no matter what people say that takes energy, and causes fatigue. Molde can relax domestically and just focus 100% on the Europa League games."
The Parkhead side have drawn both of their Europa League ties to date by 2-2 scorelines and Stavrum wouldn't rule out a similar outcome. "It is also worth all Scottish fans remembering that it is not easy to go to a place like Molde and win," he said. "Everyone expects Celtic to go and win because Molde are a smaller club and it is a smaller stadium, but there is a good group of professional players there and I don't think it will be easy for Celtic to go and win. I would think it will be a very close match so if I had to guess I will go for 2-2."
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