The goalkeeper believes Celtic need to watch out for the former Arsenal man in Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier first leg.
Craig Gordon has spoken ahead of Wednesday evening’s Champions League qualifying clash with Rosenborg, warning that his Celtic teammates must watch out for Nicklas Bendtner, who can ‘destroy anyone on his day’.
The veteran stopper is gearing up for the first of two games against the Norwegian outfit across the next eight days, with a third straight appearance in the Champions League the incentive to win.
Gordon is under no illusions about who Rosenborg’s biggest threat is; none other than former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
The 35-year-old is well placed to comment on Bendtner’s qualities, with the pair having played together at Sunderland during the 2011/12 season.
Gordon said of the 30-year-old, as reported by the Scotsman: “On his day he can destroy anyone. He is a fantastic player. The criticism of him would be that it’s not been often enough. But when he does, I’ve seen him absolutely destroy some top Premier League teams on his own.
“I thought he was a decent guy when I played with him at Sunderland. I liked him. He was quite funny. I don’t think he ever bothers too much about anything. For a striker, that’s probably a good way to be.”
That is quite the praise from Gordon, and it will certainly raise a few neutral eyebrows. Bendtner has always been a player who has divided opinion, with many usually quick to slam his misplaced confidence, which many simply see as delusion.
Bendtner showed signs that he could make it in the Premier League with Arsenal, but ultimately never built up any real consistency and left the club in 2014 to join Bundesliga outfit Wolsburg.
He had a short stint in the Championship with Nottingham Forest before signing for Rosenborg in 2017, where he has built up a decent goals per game ratio, and he will be hoping he can show Gordon he is correct to be wary about facing him at Celtic Park in the first leg.
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