Celtic will play Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in three weeks time as we continue our European adventure in the newly formed Europa Conference League. Kjetil Knutsen’s side have recently began pre-season training in anticipation of the double header as their season finished back at the beginning of December, so the game at Parkhead will be their first competitive game in over two months.
The Norwegian manager has been speaking about that situation, as reported by Scottish Sun, something Celtic have had to face during the summer qualifiers for countless years now. He said:
“It’s a new situation for us because we are in the beginning of pre-season and we’ve never played a team like Celtic in this time. That’s the way it is though and for us to have a game against a club like Celtic is actually perfect for us in terms of preparation for the new league season. But how competitive we will be in the games against Celtic, I don’t know.”
It’s definitely advantage Celtic in this regard. By the time we welcome the Norwegian champions to Glasgow we should be firing on all cylinders during an important time in our season while Bodø/Glimt will be relying on a series of friendlies to get them ready for the tie. Although you could look at it another way, that with Celtic locked in an intense title race maybe the Europa Conference League won’t be top of their agenda.
Speaking about his opponents on 17 February, Knutsen was more than complimentary, while at the same time perhaps underplaying his sides chances against Ange Postecoglou’s men. He also mentioned attending a Celtic match before while in Scotland on holiday. Speaking after a friendly game against Dynamo Kiev, he said:
“They are a big club and a good team. Celtic are a typical international team because they like to play attacking football and have many good players, just like Dynamo Kiev. I have been watching the Celtic games but I will watch more games before we play them.
“I have been in Glasgow once and watched Celtic play Aberdeen. I was there on holiday. It was an amazing atmosphere. I know Scottish football though and of course know that Celtic and (the)Rangers are both really good teams.
“For us, it’s a big game and we are all looking forward to it. But where we will be in late February, I don’t know. We are a new team now and for us it is about trying to do well again.”
Discussing how he felt regarding the 1-1 draw against Dynamo Kiev, a game played at the club’s Spanish base as they continue their pre-season preparations in the sun, Knutsen underplayed their performance. He said:
“It was our first game of the season and it was an OK start. We have sold four players who all played for the national team, so it’s a new team I have and we need time. Hopefully, we can be competitive against Celtic but it’s only three weeks until the game.”
The manager is definitely trying to take the pressure of the club and his players and transfer it on to us in this interview. Pre-season or not, Bodø/Glimt will be a tough side to beat over two legs although realistically on paper we are by far the stronger team. Underestimate them at your peril though, just ask José Mourinho about that. The Norwegians thrashed his Roma team 6-1 back in October in the very same competition.
The Norwegians are not to be taken lightly. Ange Postecoglou will know exactly what his fellow manager is up to by talking down their chances. He will know they will be a lot more dangerous than Knutsen is making out.
Conall McGinty
