Bodo/Glimt – Everything Celtic should aspire to be in Europe | OneFootball

Bodo/Glimt are everything Celtic should aspire to be in Europe, once again disproving Ross Desmond’s defeatist European football claims at last year’s AGM…

Atletico de Madrid players react after Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt (not pictured) scored his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Atletico de Madrid and FK Bodo/Glimt at Estadio Metropolitano on January 28, 2026. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The Norwegians qualified for the knockout playoffs of the Champions League yesterday evening following a stunning 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital. This comes after Kjetil Knutsen’s team hammered Manchester City 3-1 last week in the Arctic Circle.

All the while Celtic battle it out to just marginally qualify for a last 24 place in the Europa League.

Ross Desmond at Celtic AGM. 21 November 2025. Screenshot social media

But remember, according to Ross Desmond: “Those who talk about the club not having kicked on in Europe since 2003 ignore the enormous change in the financial landscape of football in that period.”

“It has created a gap which keeps growing and challenges any club playing in a smaller European league. Most supporters understand that. Of course, clubs can still punch above their financial weight, and we should aspire to that. But if you swing and miss, you risk the very stability of the club, and that would be profoundly irresponsible.”

Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Manchester City at Aspmyra Stadion on January 20, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)

Now, Bodo/Glimt executive director Frode Thomassen has played down suggestions that the club are under pressure to cash in on prolific Celtic-linked striker Kasper Høgh, while acknowledging that proposals could still be considered during the current transfer window. Høgh scored in their win over Atletico in the Wanda Metrapolitano.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a reported target for Celtic, with Martin O’Neill keen to strengthen his attacking options before the window shuts on Monday.

Recruitment staff at Celtic are believed to have internally assessed Høgh as a potential addition, and speculation has grown that preliminary discussions may already have taken place.

Addressing the ongoing transfer talk, Thomassen described the forward as one of the club’s standout performers but avoided commenting directly on the Scottish champions’ interest.

Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Manchester City at Aspmyra Stadion on January 20, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)

He stressed that Bodø/Glimt are in a strong position financially and are not obliged to sell, though any approach would be reviewed on its merits.

Speaking on the GiveMeSport Market Madness podcast, Thomassen explained his stance: “We don’t have to sell anyone but if the offer is good and the player would like to go of course we will judge it and see,” he said.

“I think Kasper enjoys playing in Bodo but we will see. Our focus right now is on Madrid. We never comment on links. We won’t focus on the day tomorrow.”

“There are two big ways in football to earn money. One of them is performance on the pitch and one is to sell players. For us it has been important to focus on the performance part and having a strong team. Our main goal has not been to develop players to sell them. At the moment we are a good team.”

Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Manchester City at Aspmyra Stadion on January 20, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)

Thomassen added: “From the outside people see the players when they play. Kasper was the top scorer in the Europa League when we made a semi-final last spring but he is a really good footballer and a really good striker.”

“But as a person he is quite special. A good team mate who carries good values and he is one of the players – when the culture is very important for the club you want the right people on the pitch and in the staff – it is essential, and Kasper is a leading star for that.”

Fabrizio Romano tweeted yesterday that: “Norwich have submitted €8m package proposal (add-ons included) for Kasper Högh. Negotiations ongoing with Bodø-Glimt.”

Given the way the window has gone, Celtic probably won’t sign him and it’ll be another target that falls by the wayside.

Conor Spence

And a quick reminder…

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