Celtic have been in good form of late, going unbeaten in their last 7 (W4 D3 L0). As for Molde, they have won just 2 of their last 5 games in all competitions (W2 D1 L2) and may struggle despite having the home advantage. They did however, beat Fenerbahce away from home and pick up a point against Ajax in their last two Europa League games so Celtic cannot take them lightly.
Celtic are top of their league while Molde currently languish 7th in Norway’s top flight.
IF Celtic win tonight they can go top of the group.
Matchday Trivia
• The journey from Glasgow to Molde is around 1,000km.
• Celtic boast Norwegian talent in the form of midfielder Stefan Johansen (FK Bodø/Glimt 2007–10, Strømsgodset IF 2011–13). Molde’s Ola Kamara was one of his Strømsgodset team-mates, the pair winning the 2013 Norwegian title at the club under Deila.
• Celtic’s Sweden right-back Mikael Lustig also played in Norway with Rosenborg (2008–11), where Molde’s Mushaga Bakenga was one of his team-mates.
• Molde’s midfield fulcrum Hestad is the oldest player registered in the group stage. Hestad is a Molde legend. He broke his father Stein Olav Hestad’s Molde club appearance record while three of his uncles and his brother have played for the club at various times.
• Saidy Janko turns 20 today
• Molde and Celtic are among ten domestic champions in this season’s group stage, along with KF Skenderbëu (Albania), Qarabağ FK (Azerbaijan), APOEL FC (Cyprus), FC Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic), FC Midtjylland (Denmark), KKS Lech Poznań (Poland), FK Partizan (Serbia) and FC Basel 1893 (Switzerland).
