Celtic make their UEFA Europa Conference League debut tonight as Norwegian Champions, Bodo-Glimt arrive in Glasgow’s East End. Having narrowly missed out on the UEL Round of 32, Celtic dropped into the new competition where they will compete in a play-off for a place in the Last 16. Standing in their way are the impressive Norwegians, who beat Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma 6-1 in their Europa League campaign last year.
Celtic are the odds-on favourites due to the fact that we are in the middle of our season whilst Bodo-Glimt are yet to start theirs. The visitors took part in a warm weather training camp in Alicante before jetting into Glasgow but with Storm Dudley expected to continue this evening, it will be a bit different to the Spanish sunshine enjoyed by the Norwegians.
Team News
There are no fresh injury concerns to worry manager Ange Postecoglou. He was unhappy with the shift that some of his players put in during the first half of the Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers and will be keen to see that this was just a blip.
Celtic are bolstered by the return of Josip Juranovic, who missed the last two games with an illness. You would expect that the Croatian Internationalist would retake his place in the starting XI ahead of such an important game. Christopher Jullien made his long-awaited return to action at the weekend but he will not be expected to start with Carl Starfelt returning to the squad having been rested at the weekend. Likewise, Greg Taylor is expected to return in place of Liam Scales, who scored at the weekend.
A key issue for the manager will be whether he plays Tom Rogic or Matt O’Riley in the right-sided No.8 position. You would expect Rep Hatate to come into the side on the left but the question remains whether Ange will play Rogic or O’Riley.
In attack, the question remains as to whether Daizen Maeda or Giorgos Giakoumakis is best placed to start. The Greek striker puts in a shift and has been unlucky that his goal output doesn’t reflect his all-round game; however, the manager may be keen to make use of him as he looks more and more threatening with each game, relying thereafter on a pacy Maeda to come off the bench and run at defenders who have not played in nearly two months.
Kyogo (hamstring) and David Turnbull (hamstring) remain sidelined as the first team duo make their way back from injuries sustained in December.
Predicted XI: Hart; Juranovic, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; McGregor (C), Hatate, Rogic; Abada, Giakoumakis, Jota.
Kick Off Time
The game will kick off at 8 pm (Celtic Park time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on BT Sport 2 with coverage commencing at 7:45 pm after Borussia Dortmund v Rangers. Celtic TV subscribers outside the UK & Ireland will be able to watch on the club’s streamings service.
It will be a wet and windy occasion underneath the lights at Paradise tonight; however, given Celtic’s recent form, it could be another memorable European night.
