Celtic prepared to take risks - 'we’ve come a long way and we’ve got a hell of a long way to go'

Having scored 14 times in their previous six away games in Europe this season, Celtic are entitled to believe they can grab the goals they need at the Aspmyra Stadium on Thursday to extend their interest in the Europa Conference League.

Callum McGregor certainly has no doubts the Scottish Premiership leaders are capable of overturning the 3-1 first leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt in their knockout round play-off tie.

But the Celtic captain knows that the positive approach Ange Postecoglou’s side will adopt needs to be married with an awareness of the counter-attacking threat posed by the impressive Norwegian champions.

“We’ve seen enough from ourselves in good situations and possession (to know we can turn it around),” said McGregor.

“The reality is we have to score three to go through so we understand we have to put a wee bit of risk in the game and be concentrated. It then opens us to the counter-attack and we’re working hard to nullify that.

“This group of players has shown we can win big. We’re that type of team. We want to be aggressive. Even if we go away from home, we want to play the same way and that’ll get us chances.

“It’s about being clinical and ruthless when the chances come. That can be the small difference. We’ve still got a chance to rectify it.”

McGregor admits the manner in which the first leg played out underlined that Celtic are still very much a work in progress under Postecoglou, regardless of their current 26-match unbeaten run in domestic fixtures.

“We’ve come a long way and we’ve got a hell of a long way to go as well,” added the Scotland midfielder. “It keeps us grounded and makes us understand we have many layers to go.

“It’s a learning curve and we have to take that on board.

“When you play