Bodo/Glimt will be without their number one goalkeeper Nikita Haikin for tonight’s encounter against Celtic in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Haikin was booked in the 88th minute at Celtic Park last week, his third yellow card of the competition. That’s enough for him to sit out tonight’s encounter.
The goalkeeper himself confirmed the news on social media last week, after naming Celtic Park “one of the best stadiums in the UK”.
Haikin has played in all 15 of Bodo/Glimt’s European matches so far this season, helping to keep six clean sheets. Last week at Celtic Park he made five saves from six attempts on goal.
Dutch goalkeeper Joshua Smits is the most likely candidate to fill in. He hasn’t played for the club since August.
Ange Postecoglou and the Bhoys will know all this of course. It could even lead to a tactic of testing out the goalkeeper in the opening stages of the match given his lack of playing time.
Celtic are still up against it of course. We find ourselves 3-1 down in the tie ahead of the second leg and the Norwegian champions remain strong favourites to progress.
Nonetheless, any slight edge we can exploit in this evening’s match is worth exploring.
If we can get an early goal tonight it could create a bit of panic in the Glimt defence, especially with an unfamiliar goalkeeper commandeering and organising them.
Let’s put pressure on Smits early.
In other news, 2 changes, new threats; Predicted Celtic XI vs Bodo/Glimt.
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