Celtic’s recent domestic form has led to a strong belief that Celtic could add a Scottish Premiership title to the League Cup won in December, something that seemed a mere dream scenario as we sifted through the squad wreckage and indecision at boardroom level to appoint a new manager last summer.
But what a difference an Ange makes. Celtic are now playing exhilarating football and remain undefeated in domestic football since 19 September, and with a Glasgow Derby win are now looking down on theRangers in the race for the title.
So, it’s fair to say there is a certain amount of confidence in Celtic under Ange Postecoglou and it appears such belief is not reserved purely for domestic football.
Next Thursday Celtic entertain Norwegian Champions Bodo/Glimt in the inaugural Europa Conference League last 16 and Celtic fans appear to be putting their money where their mouth is and backing Postecoglou’s men to match domestic form on the European front. Bookies have seen a great deal of interest at odds of 20/1 to 25/1 depending on the bookmaker, for Celtic to win the Conference League with an incredible 22% of all bets being placed backing Celtic to prevail over the likes of Roma, Leicester City and Marseille.
Postecoglou’s side account for 22 per cent of all bets placed, according to one bookie in the outright market and that faith has led to them becoming the outright seventh favourite at 20/1 to lift the trophy in May.
There is a touch of romanticism surrounding this one too as the final in Albania is due to be played on the 25 May and the anniversary of Celtic lifting the European Cup in Lisbon.
Celtic are now seventh favourites to lift the trophy but you can guarantee those odds will tumble should Celtic get past Bodo/Glimt in the last 16 play-off round and hit the Quarter Final stage. And it seems good few fans are backing the Hoops to lift the trophy and have their bookmaker pay for their trip to Tirana.
Is it a stretch to believe Celtic can do it? I’m not so sure it is, indeed I’ve had a few quid on to help recover the cost of the flights in May!
Niall J
It’s not a last 16 game v Bodo/Glimt, it’s a play-off game to get into the last 16.
There are 8 group winners awaiting the 8 winners of the play-off games which then make up the last 16.
The game v Bodo/Glimt is not a last 16 tie, it is a play-off game to reach the last 16.
There are 8 play-off games the winners of which will progress to the last 16 where the 8 Conference league group winners await