MY ACCOUNT
Celtic’s Europa Conference League campaign came to an end at the first hurdle as they went down 2-0, and 5-1 on aggregate, to Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.
The damage had largely been done in last week’s first leg, with Bodo/Glimt holding a 3-1 aggregate lead heading into Thursday’s encounter in the Arctic Circle.
Yet an abject start from Celtic allowed Ola Solbakken to put the home side further ahead, with Joe Hart having to make some excellent saves to keep the scoreline down.
Despite improvements after the break, Celtic were 2-0 down when Hugo Vetlesen steered home to add gloss to a fine two-legged performance from Bodo/Glimt, who take their place in the last 16.
Solbakken played a pivotal part in one of Bodo/Glimt’s goals in the first leg, and the 23-year-old needed just nine minutes to put the hosts ahead as he placed a crisp, low strike across Hart.
Celtic’s goalkeeper kept the Hoops’ swiftly diminishing hopes alive when he denied Amahl Pellegrino soon after, with Bodo/Glimt having five shots inside the opening 20 minutes.
Hart made a fantastic stop eight minutes before half-time, once again keeping Pellegrino at bay, with Solbakken’s venomous follow-up deflecting just wide.
Liel Abada and Callum McGregor were tasked with infecting some resolved into Celtic after the break, and the visitors did improve, having a penalty appeal for handball turned down in the 51st minute.
Daizen Maeda lashed over but Ange Postecoglou’s team never looked likely to have enough to turn the deficit around, and Celtic were down and out when Vetlesen finished calmly from Morten Agnes Konradsen’s cross.
What does it mean? Free-scoring Norwegians keep up home record
Bodo/Glimt have now scored in five straight Conference League games, and have not been shut out since a group stage draw against CSKA Sofia, while they also have a 100 per cent record on home turf, with four wins from four, scoring 13 goals and conceding just two.
Indeed, they are on a 14-match unbeaten streak at home across all competitions. Celtic, meanwhile, will switch focus to regaining the title in Scotland. They hold a three-point lead over Rangers as it stands.
Solbakken looking sharp
Solbakken has now scored five goals in the Conference League this term, after his excellent shot nine minutes in.
The forward has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland, and it is easy to see why, given his stature, running technique and finishing prowess.
In fact, the expected goals value for his strike was just 0.08, meaning he essentially had just an eight per cent chance of putting it away.
Torrid first half sees Celtic out
Celtic needed to start strong if they were to claw their way back into the tie yet they turned in a dismal first-half display, registering only one attempt in contrast to Bodo/Glimt’s 11.
That solitary effort was on target, though Bodo/Glimt had already got six on target at the other end by the time the interval came.
What’s next?
Bodo/Glimt are still in pre-season, and they will find out their last-16 opponents in Friday’s draw, with those ties to be played on March 10 and 17. Celtic play Hibernian on Sunday.
