UEFA Europa Conference League
Play-off round, second leg
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø, Norway

BODØ/GLIMT… 2
(Solbakken 9, Vetlesen 69)

CELTIC… 0

(Aggregate: 5-1 to Bodø/Glimt)

Celtic’s European journey was brought to an end as Ange Postecoglou’s side exited the Europa Conference League after falling to a 2-0 defeat to Bodø/Glimt in Norway.

Ola Solbakken’s strike after nine minutes and Hugo Vetlesen’s second half goal gave the Norwegian champions victory on their home patch, securing a 5-1 aggregate win after the Hoops lost 3-1 at Celtic Park in the first leg.

The tractors were out before the match clearing up the snow that had fallen in the sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle and Celtic knew they would have to dig deep themselves to have any chance of progressing.

However, the Hoops got off to the worst possible start as inside nine minutes the hosts took the lead. Nir Bitton was dispossessed in the middle of the park and Bodø hit on the break, Elias Hagen feeding Solbakken who cut in from the right and curled an effort into the bottom left corner.

It almost got worse just three minutes later, this time Amahl Pellegrino worked his way into the area but Joe Hart was off his line quickly to stop the striker’s effort on target.

Celtic looked to push forward in search for the goal to try and reignite any ambitions of making it through, but it was Bodø/Glimt who were continuing to threaten.

On 37 minutes Hart was tested again by Pellegrino as the Norwegian was played through on goal but the former England internationalist was down brilliantly to keep his strike out, before Solbakken’s follow-up was deflected wide.

Celtic got their first attempt on goal just minutes later. Giorgos Giakoumakis, looking to add to his hat-trick against Dundee on Sunday, rose highest to meet Anthony Ralston’s cross, but his header was straight into the arms of the Joshua Smits in goal.

Carl Starfelt then went close, getting on the end of a dangerous delivery by Matt O’Riley, but the Swedish defender sent his effort over the bar, although the assistant referee did flag for offside.

Disappointment for Celtic as Euro campaign comes to an end