Opinion: 10-assist Celtic duo will be key to Hoops plans in Norway

Two players who seem certain to be key men for Celtic in Thursday’s Europa Conference League match against Bodo/Glimt are the full-back duo of Josip Juranovic and Anthony Ralston.

The Hoops go into the game needed to score at least three goals to reach the next stage of the tournament, and the Celtic duo will be key at both ends of the pitch.

You have to imagine that as Celtic need to score goals, the Hoops will be on the front foot for most of the game when possible, and that could suit Juranovic and Ralston.

The duo like to get forward for the Bhoys. So far this season, the pair have contributed 10 goals and 10 assists for the Hoops between them, that is a good return for the players.

You have to imagine that for much of the game in Norway, the pair will be attacking down each wing, either supporting the attacking players, or putting crosses into the penalty box for the Hoops.

At the same time, the duo will need to concentrate on defending as well. A key to the Hoops defeating Bodo/Glimt on aggregate will be keeping a clean sheet. If the Norwegian side score once, then Celtic would need to score four times to get through, that could be too much of an ask, it will likely be a difficult enough to find the back of the net three times.

That is why it is important that Ralston and Juranovic have good games in defence, as well as in attack. The last thing that Celtic need in Norway is to concede an early goal and make the task even harder than it already will be.

Ralston and Juranovic are playing well for the Hoops at the moment, it was the Scottish international who set up Giorgos Giakoumakis’ winning goal in the recent victory over Dundee. Juranovic excelled in the recent win over Rangers, and has played well at both