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Birger Meling talks about his potential move to Celtic

By Sourav Mahanty

OSLO, NORWAY - OCTOBER 08: Birger Meling of Norway before the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Norway and Northern Ireland at Ullevaal Stadion on October 8, 2017 in Oslo, . (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images)
OSLO, NORWAY - OCTOBER 08: Birger Meling of Norway before the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Norway and Northern Ireland at Ullevaal Stadion on October 8, 2017 in Oslo, . (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images) /
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The Norwegian international has been heavily linked with a move to Celtic from Rosenborg, where he has a contract till December 2020. Now Meling himself has opened up about a potential move away from Lerkendal Stadion.

After star left-back, Kieran Tierney, moved to Arsenal for a reported £25-million, the officials at Celtic will be desperate to replace the Scottish international. One star who has been repeatedly linked with a move to Parkhead is Rosenborg ace, Birger Meling.

TRANSFER NEWS. Birger Meling linked with Celtic move. light

Meling impressed Celtic fans and officials alike when the two teams faced each other on four different occasions last season. And with Boli Bolingoli enduring a difficult start to life under Neil Lennon, the Hoops will reportedly try to lure the man who already has a goal to his name at Celtic Park.

But Celtic’s plans could have taken a wrong turn after they were knocked out of the qualification phase of the UEFA Champions League by CFR Cluj. Unlike the Scottish champions, Rosenborg still have a chance to qualify for Europe’s elite competition this season when they face Dinamo Zagreb in the play-off stage.

And now Meling has come out himself to put his potential move in doubt. Speaking to Norwegian newspaper VG, Meling said:

"“It is clear that if you make it to the Champions League, it will be terribly difficult to go away.“When you play international matches, whether it’s for Rosenborg or for Norway, you know that people are watching the matches.“They will tell you whether you are doing good or bad. Then you have to deal with things if a bid comes in, but so far, I haven’t heard anything. I take things very seriously. I enjoy Rosenborg very well.”"

These recent comments from the Norwegian have complicated a move that had at one point looked pretty straightforward. If Rosenborg do manage to beat Dinamo Zagreb and qualify for next season’s Champions League, it is safe to say that there would be no chance of seeing Meling don the Hoops jersey next season. But even if Rosenborg fail to qualify, it might be too big of a risk for Celtic to wait till 27th August to fill a position in the squad that needs immediate attention.

As a result, it looks like a move for Meling might well and truly be off considering the circumstances. And Celtic have nobody to blame but themselves, for not trying to get a deal done earlier in the summer when it had become clear that Tierney was off to the Premier League.

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