Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt have been making plenty of preparations for the upcoming clash against Celtic in February and their new domestic season, but much of it appears to be based around selling players!
They’ve already cashed in on star players such as Patrick Berg and Erik Botheim, significantly weakening their squad. They’ve also shifted defender Frederik Andre Bjorkan off the books. Heading to France, Russia and Germany, they are all off to decent leagues.
Now Elias Hoff Melkersen, who had a stunning season out on loan in the Norwegian second-tier, looks set to sign for Shaun Maloney’s Hibernian.
Norwegian outlet TV2 reports he is on his way to Easter Road for a fee between £200,000 and £450,000, which is not an insignificant amount for the Edinburgh side.
Teenager Melkersen netted an impressive 19 goals in 2021, starring for second-tier side Ranheim IL. [Transfermarkt]
Obviously, this doesn’t impact the tie against Celtic too much given he was not a regular with Bodo/Glimt, but it is further evidence they are clearing the decks for a new phase at the club after another title success.
If they are about to embark on a major rebuild, it only benefits the Bhoys. We know just how difficult it can be when established stars leave the club and high-intensity European games come around quickly.
Don’t get me wrong, I know Bodo/Glimt are an efficient outfit who make contingency plans and plan for the long-term but will what they put in place gel quickly enough for a big tie against Celtic?
I reckon we can knock them out given how much further we are along with our own project under Ange Postecoglou. It’s certainly going to be an intriguing tie!
In other news, The brilliant much-changed Celtic XI we could see Ange unleash in next match.
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