Celtic, Kasper Hogh news could be final nail in Norwich City transfer coffin | OneFootball

Celtic are leading the race to sign Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh, who has been eyed by Championship side Norwich City

Norwich City have been handed a hammer blow to their chances of signing Bodo/Glimt ace Kasper Hogh by major transfer news involving Scottish Premiership giants Celtic.

The Canaries endured a woeful start to the Championship campaign under the failed stewardship of former boss Liam Manning, but have established faint play-off hopes under Philippe Clement.

Clement has steered Norwich to several positive results, including victories over league leaders Coventry City and play-off hopefuls Wrexham in January.

In contrast, Manning, who has subsequently been appointed by League One outfit Huddersfield Town, had the Canaries worried by the threat of relegation to the third tier.

Celtic lead the race for Norwich City transfer target Kasper Hogh

Bodo/Glimt's stunning Champions League progress had been one of the major talking points in European football this term, before the Norwegian outfit were knocked out of the competition at the last 16 stage with a 5-3 aggregate defeat to Portuguese giants Sporting.

Kjetil Knutsen's men enjoyed successive triumphs over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, Atlético Madrid, and Inter before beating Sporting 3-0 in the first leg of their knockout tie.

However, the Norwegian club's historic journey was finally over when they were beaten 5-0 by Rui Borges' men in Portugal on 17 March.

Striker Hogh has been a key man in Glimt's shock Champions League exploits, notching a brace against Man City as well as goals against both Atlético and Inter.

The 25-year-old also produced two assists when Knutsen's side defeated Inter 3-1 on home soil on 18 February before leading the line in their subsequent play-off round win at the San Siro.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed in January that Norwich had submitted a €8million bid for Hogh, although a move to Carrow Road never materialised.

The striker's incredible form in the Champions League suggests that he could have been a major asset for the Canaries in the Championship.

However, it has now been reported by Football Insider that Celtic are leading the race for Hogh, which could be the final blow to Norwich's hopes of ever signing him.

Now that Hogh has enjoyed a successful Champions League run, he will want to continue competing at the highest level, and Celtic can land a place in European football's premium competition ahead of next term, but Champions League football is not something that the Canaries can achieve in the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, the Glaswegian outfit have fallen below their usual standards this term, hence why Hearts remain firmly in the title hunt, and could be keen to build their team around the Bodo/Glimt man.

Being the key man for Celtic in Scottish Premiership title races in the years to come is something which should appeal to the former Denmark youth international.

Kasper Hogh news will hurt Norwich City, but it doesn't spell the end of next season's play-off hopes

Norwich may have too much to do to finish in the Championship's top six this season, but the almost unrelenting progress they have made under Clement suggests that they will be good value for a play-off finish or even an automatic promotion spot next term.

Meanwhile, the news that Celtic are leading the race for Hogh shouldn't come as a major blow to next season's top six credentials, as fellow strikers Jovon Makama and Mohamed Toure both proved their worth before suffering their respective injury issues.

Makama has seamlessly adjusted to Championship football since joining the Carrow Road club from League One outfit Lincoln City last summer.

Toure scored four goals in as many second-tier appearances after joining Clement's men from Danish side Randers before suffering his injury, and notched an impressive hat-trick against Oxford United.