Linfield defender Matthew Clarke: We're not stupid.. Celtic win tells us how big a threat Bodo are

When Matthew Clarke watched Bodo Glimt knock Celtic out of Europe in February, the prospect of facing the Norwegian champions five months later didn’t cross his mind.

Clarke, a Rangers fan who was once on the Ibrox club’s books, was watching on TV as the Hoops fell to a shock 3-1 defeat at Parkhead before also losing 2-0 in Norway.

But now the Linfield defender, who captained the side in last week’s dramatic 2-1 aggregate win over The New Saints, is in Bodo’s line of fire at Windsor Park.

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“Celtic were probably unlucky not to get a draw in the home leg, but 5-1 over two legs doesn’t tell any lies,” said Clarke ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash in Belfast.

“To put a team like Celtic out and beat them home and away is unreal, so we know exactly the quality they have.”

Bodo also recorded a stunning 6-1 home win over Roma in the group stages of last season’s Europa Conference League before losing to the Italian giants in the quarter-finals.

Roma, managed by Jose Mourinho, went on to beat Feyenoord in the final and lift the club's first ever major European trophy.

“We’re not stupid and we know the quality these teams have,” said Clarke. “It’s going to be a big ask but it’s something that excites you as a player.

“You want to play against these top clubs and test yourself against some of the top players in other European leagues. Hopefully we can sneak a result.”

Linfield are unlikely to be caught cold by Bodo having already been blindsided by Rosenborg three years ago. They know all too well the threat posed by Norwegian champions.

Rosenborg won 2-0 at Windsor Park and ran out 4-0 victors at the Lerkendal Stadium en route to a