Strachan can create Celtic history - Dalglish

Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish has backed Gordon Strachan to become the first Hoops manager to lead the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Parkhead side are currently second in Group F following the 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen, which lifted them two points ahead of the Danish champions and Benfica.

Celtic face a vital double-header against the Portuguese team in their next Champions League outings, starting in Glasgow on October 17.

And the ex-Liverpool and Scotland forward believes four points from the two games against Benfica can ensure qualification to the last 16 after Manchester United claimed a 1-0 win in Lisbon.

Dalglish said: “Celtic have three points, while Benfica and Copenhagen have just one each.

“Without getting too carried away, they have a great chance of qualifying.

“The performance is relevant to a certain degree, but the result is more important, so getting three points against Copenhagen was huge for them.

“Benfica are mid-table in their league, so they cannot be pulling up any trees, but you still have to be cautious and careful.

“If they can beat Benfica and then take something in Portugal, that will go a long way to them going through.”

Fellow Hoops legend Davie Hay believes Celtic were helped by a disappointing Copenhagen team.

But the former Hoops player and manager is convinced Strachan is on the right track for qualification to the knockout phase.

Hay said: “In the first half, they played well, but, in the second period, they fell out of the game a little.

“But they got the victory and the three points. I was a bit disappointed in Copenhagen because I was expecting more after they beat Ajax in the qualifying round.

“I thought they would do more going forward. They came to contain Celtic, but did not offer anything going forward.

“Celtic deserved their victory and it gives them a great opportunity to make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League with the Benfica games coming up.

“If we are to beat Benfica, then that will go a long way towards that.

“After beating Rangers and then Copenhagen, that will help the confidence.

“Gordon has a settled team and things are looking good just now.’

Dalglish and Hay were at Parkhead to promote the Legends match between Celtic and Liverpool on October 4 with all the funds raised going to the Celtic Charity Fund, various charities nominated by Jimmy Johnstone’s family and the Marina Dalglish Appeal.

Dalglish said: “It is all for very good causes.

“For the Celtic Charity Fund, for Agnes’ charities and Marina’s charity.

“Although we are based down south, any money that is made from it will remain in Glasgow.”