UEFA has confirmed that Norway’s match with Romania that was due to be played today has now been cancelled, after a recent positive Covid case within the team.
Celtic are represented in the Norwegian squad by both Kristoffer Ajer and Mohamed Elyounoussi. However, after right-back Omar Elabdellaoui tested positive for Covid, their clash with Romania will now be submitted to the UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary body, who will make a decision on the contest.
More importantly for Celtic, however, an anxious wait to see if the players can return to Scotland this week continues.
The Norwegian FA stated yesterday that the government had blocked them from travelling and that all players must stay in quarantine. If the quarantine is to last two weeks, then that would rule Ajer and Elyounoussi out of next weekend’s game against Hibernian at Easter Road.
Norway are also due to travel to Austria for another Nations League encounter on Wednesday night. However, it looks almost certain that their government will rule them out for travelling to that one too.
A big issue for Norway’s foreign-based players
This could be a big problem for Celtic. Not having Elyounoussi and Ajer back for such a crucial game such as Hibs away is just the kind of information that Neil Lennon would’ve been dreading.
You could argue it shouldn’t be a concern at centre-back. With Chris Jullien hopefully fit and Shane Duffy still available and looking to turn his form around, Celtic will have options. Stephen Welsh is also there if necessary.
However, left-wing is a real problem. If Moi missed Hibs, and considering Mikey Johnston isn’t available yet, we have absolutely nobody who can cover there naturally.
Lennon could use Diego Laxalt further up the pitch and play Greg Taylor in behind him. That’s one alternative if the manager wants to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Especially when you consider the fact that Laxalt has some decent attacking attributes.
But it remains to be seen how this all works out with the Norwegian authorities. They’re the ones who’ve effectively forced this game with Romania to be cancelled. It looks at face value as though nothing will stop them from having to isolate when Celtic will want their players back.
Lennon won’t be happy, but he does have alternative routes he can go down, and whatever team he puts out against Hibs next week, they should still be good enough to take the points.
In other news, John Kennedy’s comments suggest that one previous bench-warmer won’t be back on it anytime soon.
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