[Sport] Man of the match - Ulrik Saltnes

[Ap0caLipse]

 

LINK:https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60338539

Celtic are "only at half-time" said Ange Postecoglou after defeat to Bodo/Glimt in Glasgow left them with a mountain to climb to reach the Europa Conference League last 16. Runar Espejord knocked the Norwegian champions into an early lead before Amahl Pellegrino finished a neat move. Daizen Maeda brought the tie back to life, but Hugo Vetlesen's deflected shot immediately flattened the atmosphere in Glasgow. "They were clinical," said Postecoglou. It leaves Celtic with a two-goal deficit to chase in Norway next week. "We've got to go there, play our football again. We've scored goals away from home in tough places, it's a good challenge for us." The result brings to an end Celtic's nine-game winning run, and is their first defeat since losing to Bayer Leverkusen in November. Reaction & how it happened The Norwegians have yet to start their season, and Celtic, with 14 goals in their last four games, went at them early to test their visitors' match sharpness. Just over a minute was on the clock when Maeda slipped inside his marker and had a sight of goal, but allowed it to run before cutting it back where the defence were able to get it away. But after that, Bodo/Glimt showed just what a good team they are. Pellegrino shot down the throat of goalkeeper Joe Hart to fire a warning, but it wasn't heeded and soon they had their lead. Kjetil Knutsen's side knocked one-touch passes around the Celtic defence until Espejord nipped through and got goal-side of Carl Starfelt. Without delay, he poked the ball through a generous gap to notch his first goal for the club. They continued to frustrate Celtic, even if their own attacking intent waned as the half went on. Dominating possession, slowing down the pace of the game, and cutting out every avenue Celtic tried to play through to lone frontman Maeda. Celtic had pleas for penalties when Cameron Carter-Vickers was taken out by goalkeeper Nikita Haikin and Jota was tripped, but the offside flag quelled both appeals. Vetlesen shot over as Bodo/Glimt threatened a second, but the game lacked a spark. The crackle of electricity that had brought this stadium to life against Rangers just over two weeks previous was missing. But Postecoglou's side began the second half with a bit more verve and movement. Jota blasted over and Maeda's shot was charged down as they passed the ball with more purpose and started to work Bodo's backline. Yet, less than 10 minutes into the second half it was 2-0 as the Norwegians shredded through Celtic's defence. Bodo's front three all combined in a smart move. Ola Solbakken darted past Greg Taylor, his pass was cutely flicked on by Espejord, and Pellegrino had the easy task of picking his spot in the back of the net. Celtic needed something to take to Norway. Jota found space and had a shot tipped over the bar, and as they continued to press finally they got their breakthrough to keep the tie alive. Maeda drifted into the six-yard box and glanced a Josip Juranovic cross beyond the goalkeeper. But within just two minutes, Celtic's fire was extinguished in spectacular style. Vetlesen took aim from outside the box, his shot deflected off Callum McGregor and sailed over goalkeeper Hart. As the stands emptied Celtic tried in vain to cut the deficit to one again, but little would fall for them on a frustrating night for the Scottish Premiership leaders.