Bodo/Glimt have controversial plan to get ready for Celtic

Bodo/Glimt are taking their Europa Conference League tie against Celtic, scheduled for February 17 and February 24, very seriously. And the Norwegian side appear to have a controversial plan as part of their preparations for those matches. Both sides have impressed in Europe this season, and thus, it will be very interesting to see what happens when the two meet.

Bodo/Glimt’s aim is to help their players overcome a disadvantage that they have against their Celtic counterparts. The Scottish season is scheduled to be well underway again when the two sides meet, unlike in Norway, where the season ended in December. The next Eliteserien campaign is not due to commence again until early April.

With such a long period of inactivity, Bodo/Glimt are planning ways to help make sure the players are up to match speed and fitness when they face Celtic, despite the lack of games.

As reported by the Daily Record, Bodo/Glimt appear to be planning a winter training camp in Spain, as the club’s general manager, Frode Thomassen, said:

"“We have to start back in pre-season three to four weeks before the match against Celtic.“We will definitely leave the country if possible. We have a clear desire for that.”"

Bodo/Glimt have controversial plan ahead of Celtic tie

It is safe to say that amid the current pandemic situation, there are clear risks in travelling abroad, especially for an extended period of time.

Bodo/Glimt were criticised last year for a similar trip when they spent 39 days in Andalusia. They were the only club in Norway to leave the country for preparations. It is believed that some Norwegian clubs refused to play them in pre-season friendlies when they returned from the trip.

Celtic fans will of course know very well about a similar situation as the club faced their own controversial winter break training camp issues with their trip to Dubai last season. This season though, they have decided to stay back at Lennoxtown, which seems like the sensible thing to do in the current situation, with a lot of risks involved in travelling abroad.