Celtic’s season will in a way be defined by the next two Euro games. If they are successful and qualify they will enjoy a cash windfall along with 6 glamour tie against top European opponents.
To get there though they have to get passed Malmö. The Swedish side have looked impressive and Celtic will have their work cut out for them on Wednesday night.
Celtic have yet to concede in four games against Swedish teams, from which they have the record W3 D1 L0.
Malmö are also unbeaten in four UEFA fixtures against Scottish sides. They won both of their away games in Scotland without conceding, and notably thrashed Hibernian 7-0 in Edinburgh on their last visit in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round – their biggest ever European away victory.
Both sides have Norwegian coaches: Ronny Deila at Celtic and Hareide at Malmö. Deila admitted in the run-up to this tie that he had been in talks about taking the Malmö job in 2014 while in charge of Strømsgodset, but Hareide was hiredand and Deila subsequently went to Glasgow.
Malmö Attacking midfielder Jo Inge Berget spent the first half of last season on loan at Celtic when he was on the books at Cardiff City. He scored twice in four league outings.
Also Malmö’s Icelandic defender Kári Árnason played in Scotland with Aberdeen in 2011–12 season.
