Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has warned the Parkhead side that on his day Nicklas Bendtner is capable of taking the best defences apart.

The 30-year-old Rosenborg forward was a team-mate of Gordon’s when they were both at Sunderland and the Scotland internationalist is wary of underestimating the impact the striker can have.

There is an argument that Bendtner has lost some of his mobility but with significant experience and a touch that has been witnessed at close quarters by Gordon, the keeper believes he is still capable of doing significant damage.

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“I played with Nicklas at Sunderland for a year,” said the Celtic stopper. “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.” Bendtner has a reputation as suiting himself but Gordon warmed to the former Arsenal forward both on and off the pitch, although he’ll still look to have the last laugh tonight.

“I thought he was a decent guy,” he said. “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.

“He is an interesting character. I enjoyed his company. I’m sure he is still the same. For his football ability, he is one we will definitely have to watch. He has done well. He has been at some top clubs all around Europe and has done well for himself.

“There are a lot of players like that, especially strikers. When they are on form, when they are confident, they are fantastic. But when it doesn’t quite happen for them they can string a poor performances together. But he still has had a very good career at some top clubs. He is still only 30, he still has a good few years left in him yet. He is a good player regardless of what anybody says about his potential. If he is confident and he is playing well then he is a big, big player.

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“We have watched a good bit of not just him, but the rest of the team. There are a few other really good players in that team as well. We won’t get sidetracked just by looking at him. There are a few others who can certainly hurt us as well.

“I will probably speak to him at some point, but I will maybe wait until after the game and try and keep him out first. We will probably have a chat at some point. He isn’t one who will speak too much during the game. He will concentrate on his team and what he wants to do. But he is a good lad and we will probably have a chat afterwards.”

In all likelihood it will be Kristoffer Ajer who is charged with keeping a close watch on Bendtner this evening. It has been a steep learning curve for the Norwegian defender who came to prominence in the latter half of last season for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

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“Kris has come of age as an international defender now, he has been excellent for us,” said Gordon. “ He’s dominant, a strong young boy and he has come up with the answers to every challenge put in front of him.

“He is still learning but he’s been fantastic in pre-season. He’s made that position his own over the last few months. It’s a fantastic rise for him since he came to the club.

“I don’t see any reason why that doesn’t continue because he’s such a hard worker. He listens to everyone around him to keep improving.

“It will be a big one for him. It’s a good thing to show your own country what you are capable of. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.

“For any player that would give you added incentive to show people back home that you are in a better place with your current club.

“I think Kris has actually probably got a bit of an older head on his shoulders than his age. He is very calm in these situations and he talks well during the game too. I think he can step up and be that leader in the back four or back three as we’ve been playing. He can do that job without a shadow of a doubt. He talks well and he is commanding. He can lead by example. If he does that then he gives the rest of the team a platform to go and play.”