Celtic handed Conference League boost by Premiership rivals

Celtic impressed in the Europa League despite being drawn in the same group as Bayer Leverkusen, Real Betis and Ferencvaros. They were able to get 9 points from their six games and were extremely unlucky not to make it out of the group stages. They will now feature in the UEFA Europa Conference League though, where they will take on Bodo/Glimt in the knockout round play-off.

It is expected to be a tight game between two teams who have impressed in Europe this season. Bodo/Glimt even hold an incredible 6-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.

Thus, the Norwegian champions are certainly a side to watch out for, although it must be said that quite a few of their players have departed in recent weeks. And now, another name has been added to that list.

Unexpectedly, it is Hibernian who have handed Celtic the Conference League boost. The Premiership club announced on their official website that they have signed Elias Melkersen from Bodo/Glimt.

Hibernian hand Celtic unexpected Conference League boost

Melkersen spent the previous season away on loan at Ranheim and was tremendously impressive there. Of course, that convinced Hibernian to make a move for the teenager, who would have been expected to play a big part in Bodo/Glimt’s first-team if he had stayed on with the club.

Celtic have other advantages going into the game as well as the Norwegian season is already over and as a result, Bodo/Glimt will not have much match practice when they take to the field against the Hoops in February.

This is something that Norwegian clubs must be accustomed to by this point of time though and thus, Celtic must go into the tie knowing that they will need to be at the top of their game, if they are go past an excellent team and into the next round of the Conference League.