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Hoops' Nordic Mission: Possible...?

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Taz, Feb 23, 2022.

By Taz on Feb 23, 2022 at 1:35 AM
  1. Taz Blind Justice Gold Member News Writer

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    Hoops' Nordic Mission: Possible...?
    ~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~

    [​IMG]
    Hatrick Hero: Giorgos Giakoumakis proved to be the difference at the weekend

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    (Bodø/Glimt lead on Aggregate, 3-1)
    Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø, Norway
    Thursday, 24 February 2022
    17.45 GMT

    Celtic face one of the toughest challenges of the Angeball era later this week, when they travel to Norway and look to overcome Bodø/Glimt in the return leg of the Conference League tie.

    After the Norwegian Champions stunned Celtic Park last week, the Bhoys now face the tough task of needing to score 2 unanswered goals just to push the tie into extra time (and possibly penalties), or by a margin of 3 clear goals to progress to the next round.

    And just to make the challenge that little more awkward, the Aspmyra Stadion which will be hosting the match has an articial surface, which usually seems to take a little getting used to for players that only rarely play on such surfaces.

    But if the scale of the challenge seems daunting, it doesn't seem to be a sentiment shared by Ange Postecoglou, who has repeatedly emphasized about focusing on what Celtic can do and in trusting in the process rather than on what oppositions are doing.

    The Nordic adventure will see the Bhoys travel to the town of Bodø, located within the Artic Circle in northern Norway, where the entire population of approximately 53,000 would be able to comfortably fit within the capacity of Celtic Park.

    After the Hoops narrowly managed to see off Dundee in a 5 goal thriller on Sunday, hopefully the late winner which has helped extend the lead at the top of the league table and hopefully will give the Bhoys a much needed bounce ahead of the Scandinavian trip this week.

    If Celtic are to triumph, Postecoglou will need to have learned the lesson well from Thursday, can devise a gameplan and get his team selections right. The Bhoys cannot afford for anyone to be having an off night, while conjuring up some moments of magic to break a well drilled and organized opponant.

    And after his exploits at the weekend, Giorgos Giakoumakis will likely be one of the first names on the teamsheet, not only for the scoring form but his physicaliity against opposition defenders that could create space for others to exploit also.

    [​IMG]
    Jota & Hatate will have an important role to play on Thursday if Celtic are to prevail

    Ange's Bhoys Could Write Their Way into History

    To say the least the challenge facing Celtic is an uphill battle.

    Not only are they up against the Norwegian Champions, who are well drilled, organized and on their own 'turf', but having to do so by a margin of 3+ goals (or 2 goals to push the contest to extra time and potentially penalties) and doing so on an unfamiliar artificial surface.

    To underline the difficulty here, no team in any competition has managed to defeat Bodo/Glimt home or away by 3+ goals since July 2019.

    To defeat the hosts at the Aspmyra Stadion by that margin has not happened since shortly after they won promotion back to the Eliteserien, in April 2018.

    And that is before taking into account Celtic's woes in European competitions after the Christmas ia also a considerable monkey they will need to shake.

    The 1-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in February 2018 is Celtic's only post-new year win, home or away, in European competition in more than a decade.

    Indeed, to find the last time a Celtic side secured an away victory in Europe after the turn of the year, you have to go way back almost 20 years, to the 1-0 win over Boavista in the UEFA Cup Semi-Final in 2003!

    If Celtic can accomplish this mission on Thursday, it will truly be a remarkable - and historic - feat.

    That is what the mission is - to make new history, and this week presents a real opportunity for Ange's Bhoys to do exactly that. Celtic don't seem to ever make things easy for the fans, yet it makes it all the more sweeter when these moments are achieved.

    [​IMG]

    Team News

    Ange Postecoglou will need to get his team selection right for Thursday night. With the match being played on an artificial surface and having witnessed the physicality of Kjetil Knutsen's side, determine how best to combat that.

    Thankfully the Australian has close to a full squad to choose from, with the continued notable exceptions of Kyogo Furuhashi, David Turnbull and Albian Ajeti.

    However, it is encouraging to note that another long term absentee, Karamoko Dembele, has been listed on the bench for the past two games after an extensive period out with ankle trouble. Along with Christopher Jullien, both of whom have missed a lot of football over the past year, it is still possible that the teenager could still play an important role this season.

    Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt will be without goalkeeper, Nikita Khaikin for the return leg, after the Russian shot stopper was booked during the first leg, which triggered an automatic 1-match ban.


    [​IMG] Against Norwegian Teams [​IMG]

    Overall
    P: 13 W: 7 D: 2 L: 4

    Last 5 Meetings v Norwegian Opponants
    LWWDW


    [​IMG] 2021/22 Form [​IMG]

    Overall
    WLWWW ~ WWDDD

    CEL Away ~ BOD Home
    WWWWW ~ DWWWW
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2022
    tarboltontim likes this.