Celtic have impressed in the Europa League despite being drawn in the same group as Bayer Leverkusen, Real Betis and Ferencvaros. They managed to get 9 points in six games and were extremely unlucky not to qualify for the group stages. They will now play in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they will face Bodo/Glimt in a knockout round.

A close game is expected between two teams that 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 team to watch, although it must be said that quite a few of their players have left in recent weeks. And now another name has been added to this list.

Unexpectedly, it was Hibernian who gave Celtic the Conference League boost. The Premiership club announced on their official site they have signed Elias Melkersen from Bodo/Glimt.

Hibernian gives Celtic Conference League unexpected boost

Melkersen spent the previous season on loan at Ranheim and was hugely impressive there. Of course, that convinced Hibernian to make a move for the teenager, who should have played a big part in the Bodo/Glimt first team had he stayed with the club.

Celtic have other pre-match advantages and the Norwegian season is already over and as a result Bodo/Glimt won’t have much match practice when they take to the pitch against the Hoops in February.

It’s something Norwegian clubs have to be used to at this stage and so Celtic have to go into the tie knowing they’ll have to be at the top of their game, if they get past a great team and into the next one. round of the Conference League.