Delaney on 30,000 fans preparing for Hearts clash
F.C. Copenhagen midfielder Thomas Delaney has seen the club develop a lot over the course of his career – and he's impressed by the growing support for the club that could break new grounds on Thursday.
FCK face Scottish Premiership club Hearts in the UEFA Conference League, with around 30,000 supporters expected to be in attendance.
That figure would put FCK vs Hearts in the top five high-attended fixtures of this season's Conference League. It's also a far cry from a decade ago, when the Lions would play Thursday night games in front of far fewer fans.
When told as many as 30,000 supporters could be at the game on Thursday, Delaney said: "That is really impressive! Before I went abroad, I remember what the attendances were like when we played in the Europa League in November and December against so-called smaller teams. I think perhaps 10,000 or 15,000 came, and now there are twice that many!
"Many of my current teammates have been spoiled with so many spectators in recent years, but there was a time when we had to work a little harder to get fans through the doors. But it's great that we have reached this point, you have to say that. And of course it influences us on the pitch."
A victory on Thursday could push FCK to the brink of the top eight in the Conference League, and move a step closer to playing European football in the new year.
The Lions are already heading into Denmark's winter break top of the Superliga table and will look to advance to the Danish Cup semi-finals at the weekend too.
"We're in a good place in terms of our form. We're on a run of four wins in a row, and our goals have not changed since the start of the season," adds Delaney. "We're top of the Superliga, and we are well on our way to the semi-finals of the cup. On Thursday we can probably determine whether we'll play in Europe in the spring.
"We would have liked to have played for a place in the Top Eight in the league phase, but right now it's just about getting into the Top 24, so we can progress. But most of the final group games that I have been a part of with FCK have been like this, with twists and turns until the end.
"I admit that we've had some slip-ups during our home games that should not have happened. But, as I said, I think right now we are in a good place, and we can still make it a good league phase."
>> Buy F.C. Copenhagen tickets
Tickets for the match are still on sale at billet.fck.dk, while Hearts fans must buy their tickets through the Scottish club.
If you have a seat for the match via a season ticket or subscription, but cannot attend, then we encourage you to pass on your seat to a friend who can use it.