Celtic 1 Bodo/Glimt 3 – Warning signs were there in both the Raith Rovers and Aberdeen games

We were punished for slackness. It had been coming this result. Since the game against theRangers, we have let a slight relaxation into our play and have just been fortunate enough to come up against inferior opposition. The Aberdeen game sent alarm bells ringing with the manner in which we capitulated after two balls into the box wrecked our confidence, especially at the back. Raith was insipid and generally boring to endure before Ange was forced to make substitutions later on in the game.

This evening there was no inferior side in front of us. Instead we saw the workings of a side that truly is devoted to the system and not the personnel. And fair play Bodo/Glimt. They had our number right from kick-off – even if we were lacklustre on the night. No matter how hard we tried to break through the centre of their box, the harder their resolve became. It seemed at one point before Maeda scored as though we would have to rugby tackle the ball into their net, such was the resistance in front of us.

They were a slick outfit too, regardless of the fact they have lost several stars recently. In addition, they were all very comfortable in possession and good at keeping their shape out of it in conjuction with being strong in the challenge. On that note however, I thought the referee was pretty aggravating tonight. Far too much stop-start nonsense instead of letting the game flow. It created a scrappy environment in which passing could not really thrive in the end up.

For sure, we have to look at ourselves in this situation as opposed to blaming other factors, but it was never allowed to really catch fire that game due to the style in which the referee decided to handle the game. Far too many nothing challenges blown for fouls. A couple of the offside rulings were contentious in my opinion too. It prevented us from ever really imposing that quick transition play into the match at Celtic Park.

On the whole we can have no complaints though. It would be remiss not to point to the poor displays of several of our key players tonight. Jota done nowt. The Portuguese talent was terribly selfish at times and just never looked right. Abada offered very little in terms of crosses and failed to link up effectively with Rogic and Juranovic. Likewise, Callum McGregor was quiet and couldn’t really match their energy on his own. Our central defensive pairing seemed to be dragged all over the place once the Bodo attack closed in on our final third, with Carter-Vickers having an uncharacteristically average game.

I think the mistake was made in earnest before a ball was kicked in this tie, after Ange decided to play both Rogic and O’Riley in the centre of midfield. Both struggled to come to terms with the ferocious athleticism and enthusiasm of the Glimt midfield that thwarted their technical ability. Hatate should have played from the start as it is now axiomatic that O’Riley and Rogic don’t do anywhere near enough running to be played together – at least from the start anyway.

In some ways this is a good result to get at a good time. If we go out out of the competition, it’s looking likely that our rivals for the league will remain in Europe. This could be to our advantage in the run-in before the split, as we have to play them again away from home. On the other hand, it could be a timely kick up the backside and a reminder that we might be sitting top of the table just now, but that position is precarious with a margin that only Jesuits would feel comfortable in.

Nothing is finished in this Europa Conference League fixture though. And only a fool would bet against Ange and this Celtic side pulling off a masterstroke over in Norway. With a 3-1 deficit to overcome and no away goals rule in place now, we could still well make the hat for the next round come a week from now.

Paul Gillespie