Helsingborg crash to third defeat in a row
Age Hareide’s injury ravaged side fell behind to a sixth minute goal from Erton Fejzullahu who went on to complete his hat-trick with goals in the 31st and 79th minutes after Nikola Durdic had equalised for the visitors.
HIF fielded the youngest ever defence in the history of the Swedish league consisting of Krafth Emil 18, Joseph Baffo 19, Loret Sadiku, 21, and Jere Uronen 18, all of whom have played international football at u-19 or u-21 level.
“We have full confidence that they will deliver,” Hareide said before the match. “It is about making them ready to become top players and so that they can compete with those already there.”
Looking back on the defeat from Celtic he added:”We had more possession than Celtic and made more passes that they did so I think we’re doing everything right apart from the mistakes that destroyed us.
“It was an evening of bad luck. The guys did a fantastic job and I am proud of what they delivered. Now we use it to build and become even better as a team, both in attack and defence.”
After watching his own teenager, 18-year-old Tony Watt, star against Inverness Caley Thistle Neil Lennon admitted that the striker had played his way into his thoughts for the return match with Helsingborgs.
“He has given himself a good chance,” the Celtic boss admitted. “But it’s such a huge game to throw a rookie in there. I don’t know, I’ll think about it, but I have an idea what the team will be.”
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