Helsingborg call in veteran keeper to face Celtic

One time Hibs keeper Daniel Andersson is preparing to come out of semi-retirement to face Celtic on Tuesday for Helsingborg..

The 39-year-old, who had a spell at Hibs under Bobby Williamson, played his first league match in three years in yesterday’s 2-1 defeat from Elfsborg and looks certain to Neil Lennon’s side on Tuesday.

First choice keeper Pär Hansson missed the Elfsbotg match due to tonsillitis and is unlikely to be fully recovered for Tuesday’s sell-out clash with Celtic.

“All players want to play such a game,” Andersson admitted. “But Hansson is the one that was in the best shape in the team for two seasons.

“It’s unfortunate if he can’t play against Celtic but something I have to get used to and prepare for.

“I’ve got a lot of experience but it’s a few years since I’ve played regularly, I’ve not really thought much about playing but now I could be involved in an incredible match on Tuesday.”

Both Celtic and Helsingborg appear to have drawn their ideal opponents with Neil Lennon wary of the Scandinavians.

The Celtic boss said: “We watched them last week and they scored seven (beating Kalmar 7-2) and that’s pretty impressive at any level.

“They are strong defensively, although they have lost their leading goalscorer Alfred Finnbogason to Heerenveen, which is a huge bonus for us because he was one of their best players on the day.

“It’s a great opportunity for us but we know it’s a great chance for Helsingborg as well. Scandinavian teams are very difficult opposition and I’m not taking this tie lightly at all.

“For a lot of people the expectation level has gone through the roof since we beat Helsinki but as far as I’m concerned we are playing that down. I think they are a step up from Helsinki, they’ve probably got better strikers for a start. I’m not sure they play as much football but they are more pragmatic in their approach to the game than Helsinki.”

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