Even a figure as universally adored as Martin O’Neill managed to divide Celtic fans last week.
After Celtic’s defeat to Stuttgart last week, O’Neill commented on the growing financial gap between clubs in Europe.
Ross Desmond did the same in his extraordinary AGM speech, but on Tuesday evening, Bodo/Glimt made a mockery of suggestions that the days of European clubs going on underdog runs are over.
After the Norwegian side annihilated Inter Milan in the Champions League knockouts, Hoops hero Chris Sutton was quick to respond with a pointed message to Glasgow.
Should Martin O’Neill field a rotated side vs Stuttgart to focus on the Rangers game?
What would you do?
Chris Sutton’s Celtic message after Bodo/Glimt win
In reaction to the Norwegians’ victory, Sutton wrote on X: “Bodo Glimt put to bed the myth that you have to spend an absolute fortune to be successful and compete at the highest level…
“Well played Bodo , what a success story… other clubs take note.”
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Despite Stuttgart coming from Germany, O’Neill had bemoaned after the 4-1 defeat: “You’re talking about Premier League sides, Bundesliga sides…
“Primarily Premier League teams paying £80million for players who don’t even get into the team. That’s what you’re competing against.
“Players in the Premier League in the last couple of seasons have cost £75m or £80m and are transferred for £40m three months later.
“It is ridiculous and we have to try and compete with that at some stage or another. We are trying to get players in at low cost because there is no money.”
Those comments were never likely to change the minds of many Celtic fans anyway, but given that Bodo/Glimt have a squad cost of roughly £56 million, Sutton’s comparison was easy to make.
Aside from their run to the Champions League round of 16 this season, Bodo also made the Europa League semi-final last season, being eliminated by Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.
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Could Kjetil Knutsen manage Celtic?
Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen has been linked with the Celtic job on a number of occasions… but is it a realistic possibility?
Knutsen is the figurehead of Bodo/Glimt’s remarkable rise, but there is more to it than just one exceptional manager.
Given that he works closely in a well-oiled football structure alongside a Director of Football, Club Manager and Chief Analyst, his full team wouldn’t come cheap.
Chief Analyst Aasmund Bjørkan, whose son is Bodo and Norway’s left-back, has an extremely close relationship with Knutsen. He was previously the manager of the club with Knutsen as his assistant.
Knutsen took over when Bjørkan moved to the role of Sporting Director, before moving to the analyst role in 2023.
If Celtic could dismantle Bodo’s entire staff, it would be some coup – but at this stage, it feels increasingly like a pipe dream.
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