Stefan Johansen is determined to play for Norway against Croatia on Sunday despite a niggling hamstring injury.
The Celtic midfielder created the only goal of the game for Vegard Forren to give Norway a vital 1-0 win away to Bulgaria last night.
Johansen missed Celtic’s 3-1 win over St Johnstone due to injury and was substituted with three minutes remaining against Bulgaria with what appeared to be a hamstring knock.
With two points separating Croatia, Italy and Norway at the top of Group H a home win in Oslo would put the Norwegians in with a fighting chance of qualifying with two games left to play- with the final match away to Italy in Rome.
Asked about his fitness for Sunday Johansen told Dagbladet: “Yes, I’ll be going for it.”
After the win Norway boss Per Mathias Hogmo said: “We’ve won our third away game in the group without conceding a goal. We do not give away many chances either.
“We did a good defensive job and kept to our plan, at the same time we created enough chances to win.”
Three minutes after Forren’s goal Alexandar Tonev was introduced as a substitute for Bulgaria who are now out of contention to qualify.
The main story of last night was in Cyprus where Wales won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Gareth Bale to move within touching distance of qualifying.
On Sunday a home win against Israel will take the Welsh through with two matches still to play. Last night Israel won 4-0 at home to Andorra with Nir Bitton scoring the second goal. Israel are sitting in third place in the group but finish their campaign away to Belgium on October 13.
I like the Bhoy!!!!
Celtic goal was brilliant.
Stay healthy.
How long has Stefan had this injury? In my opinion he has been off the boil for months. Not the same player that first arrived. Hope he can get back to that level again. No doubt other fans will disagree but that original version could certainly be making a big difference for us now. Has been pretty invisible this season.
@Happyhoopybhoy … I agree. He has not at all been up to last season’s standard. Personally, seems to be carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Not sure why. Perhaps due to that penalty controversy six weeks ago?