Forgotten Celtic midfielder targets comeback after successful operation | OneFootball

Odin Thiago Holm has opened up on the latest setback in his injury-plagued career, revealing he has undergone surgery in a bid to finally overcome the long-standing issue that has restricted his progress…

Odin Holm scores his team’s second goal during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Norwegian midfielder, currently on loan at Vålerenga, remains under contract at Celtic for another two seasons but has endured a frustrating spell due to chronic compartment syndrome, a condition that causes pressure to build inside muscle compartments and can severely affect circulation and mobility.

Holm has featured for just 536 minutes since June 2023 and previously admitted the problem left him feeling “half paralysed”.

The 23-year-old has now confirmed he opted for an operation after previous attempts to manage the issue without surgery proved unsuccessful.

Odin Holm celebrates after he scores his team’s second goal during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking about his recovery, Holm said via TCW: “I finally got it operated on and it feels really good. I’m a little more optimistic after talking to some people who have been through the same thing and got better. So I’ll just keep my fingers crossed.

“An operation was talked about for a long time, but Celtic wanted to go in a more conservative direction without it having any effect, so it ended up with surgery.

“It’s good to come to a place where they have understanding and knowledge of the damage, so we can get it sorted out. I haven’t played that much football, so I’ve learned how to get through tough times. That’s an extra part of my experience too.

“I think I have a future playing football. As long as my legs are okay now, there’s nothing holding me back.”

Queen s Park v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly – Odin Holm during the pre-season friendly match at The City Stadium on Wednesday July 10, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Holm is hopeful the procedure will allow him to rediscover his best form during the remainder of his loan spell in Norway and insists the domestic game there has closed the gap on some of Europe’s bigger leagues.

He added: “It’s not like a player from here couldn’t have gone straight into the Celtic team and done well.

“The difference in quality isn’t that big. Valerenga and the Norwegian League as a whole are in a good place and the league has made big strides in recent years in terms of intensity, among other things.”

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