Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen has praised the tactics of Celtic under Ange Postecoglou, noting that midfielder Callum McGregor is the man who links the Bhoys’ ‘two engines’ together.
Celtic host the Norwegians in the UEFA Europa Conference League tonight, leg one of a two-match tie that concludes next Thursday.
Knutsen has had this game to focus on for a number of months. In fact it’s their first competitive game of 2022 ahead of the Norwegian league restart.
Bodo/Glimt boss knows what to expect of Celtic
As a result, he knows the ins and outs of Celtic’s team and has delivered his verdict on the way Ange’s Bhoys play.
As quoted by The Scottish Daily Mail [17/02 print edition, page 77], Knutsen said: “We will play against a team who, at the moment, is making great progress with a lot of confidence. Celtic are a 4-3-3 team, similar to us.
“Hopefully, we will play in a full stadium. I have been here once before and the fans are really amazing.
“Celtic are similar to us. They are an attacking team and attack with two engines. One on the left side with (Greg) Taylor, (Reo) Hatate and Jota with a lot of rotation and penetration. They do the same on the right side with (Josip) Juranovic, (Tom) Rogic and (Liel) Abada.
“They also have the captain (Callum) McGregor, who gives balance to the team and can switch the play from side to side. He is really good.
“For me they are a team, like us, and the manager and his team have done a great job as they started coaching this side from the summer. They have really developed.”
All of the players Knutsen mentions tonight are likely to start. Although, we may see the manager opt for a Matt O’Riley surprise alongside Reo Hatate, to mix things up a bit in that right flank rotation.
Either way, it seems they know what to expect from our style of play tonight. It’ll be fascinating to see if they have a game plan to nullify it all.
This could well be one of the toughest tests of the season for Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff. We witnessed against Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen how difficult a step up to European competition can be.
Ultimately thought that’s what this group needs to progress further and hopefully the Bhoys can put a show for a big crowd tonight.
In other news, 7 changes, Maeda or Giakoumakis; Celtic Predicted XI vs Bodo/Glimt.
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