Although it’s been a joyous ride for Celtic in the domestic competitions, their dismal European form saw them getting demoted from the Champions League qualifiers to the third-tier Conference League. They have been drawn against FK Bodø/Glimt after failing to make it to the knockouts of the Europa League.
However, a third-place finish in the group kept their European hopes alive and the Hoops are now set to host the Norwegian side who stunned Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma by scripting a thumping 6-1 triumph. The Parkhead outing on Thursday night should produce an engaging contest given both the teams’ aggressive style of football.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Glimt
Defence
Joe Hart has been a revelation between the sticks, particularly after last season’s crisis due to erroneous display from Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain. The veteran Englishman should continue to impress and aim for another clean sheet.
Josip Juranovic was not involved in the past couple of fixtures due to illness but is expected to return for the midweek clash. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have formed a resilient central defensive pairing overcoming early jitters, whereas Ange Postecoglou might rely on Greg Taylor down the left even though Liam Scales was stellar against Raith Rovers last weekend.
Midfield
Celtic have ample midfield options in their ranks and the gaffer has the luxury of rotation in order to rest his key personnel amid fixture congestion. Skipper Callum McGregor is likely to operate from the base as his vision, distribution and game-reading attributes would help the Bhoys dominate the midfield game. Reo Hatate has been exquisite since plying his trade at Parkhead during winter and the former Kawasaki Frontale star must be the first name in the teamsheet as a box-to-box midfielder. The dribbling traits and creative spark of Tom Rogic would trouble the visitors further in the middle of the park.
Attack
The Celts continue to be without Kyogo Furuhashi, but the emergence of Daizen Maeda has resolved the striker conundrum for the time being. Liel Abada has been productive from the right with his swift footwork and scoring skills, also the mastery of Filipe Jota down the left-hand flank might cause a menace in the Glimt backline. With Mikey Johnston ruled out for a while after sustaining another injury nightmare against the Rovers, James Forrest and Giorgos Giakoumakis would remain as the attacking alternatives who are capable of turning things around as ‘super subs’.
