GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 11: Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson during a UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic and AS Roma at Celtic Park, on December 11, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Across Europe last night fans from every country watched and admired Bodo Glimt as they knocked Inter Milan out of the Champions League.
It wasn’t a smash and grab, backs to the wall victory. It wasn’t achieved on a plastic pitch in the Arctic Circle.
In the theatre of football that is the San Siro the Norwegian side followed up their 3-1 home win with a 2-1 victory on Italian soil.
The Bodo story is mesmerising and inspiring. Sutton and other pundits have watched it unfold with admiration.
Ross Desmond and his Dad should be watching and wincing. It is doubtful that they followed last night’s Champions League action
CELTIC V BODO 2022
Four years ago Celtic also lost home and away to Bodo.
Since then both clubs have moved in very different directions.
Celtic have had one none embarrassing season in European football which resulted in the CEO selling off the key players. The scorers.
Bodo reached last season’s Europa League semi-final and are in the last 16 of the Champions League this season. Building on momentum, enjoying current success and planning ahead.
A club with ambition and a strategy. They don’t trash and gaslight supporters that highlight failing.
Those who say the club haven’t kicked on since 2003……..
You’d not stop on him pic.twitter.com/CSqvqrbNcX
— Blakey (@TrebelQuad) February 24, 2026
Ross told the Celtic AGM:
That financial strength is what gives us independence, stability and the ability to make our own decisions and not be beholden to anyone else. Those who talk about the club not having kicked on in Europe since 2003 ignore the enormous change in the financial landscape of football in that period.
It has created a gap which keeps growing and challenges any club playing in a smaller European league. Most supporters understand that. Of course, clubs can still punch above their financial weight, and we should aspire to that. But if you swing and miss, you risk the very stability of the club, and that would be profoundly irresponsible.
Celtic’s reckless strategy came home to roost against Kairat Almaty. Costing the club at least £40m, possibly more.
Chairman Brian Wilson considers Michael Nicholson’s performance as CEO as acceptable.
This morning Bodo are 34th in the UEFA Co-efficient table. Celtic are joint 58th.
Bodo has a population of 53,000 people. Their record signing cost less than Celtic paid for Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Peter Lawwell closed down the Celtic AGM midway through the lecture from Ross Desmond.
Since the turn of the year Bodo have beaten Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan twice. Champions League wins in Spain and Italy!
We can only dream of having a team like Bodo/ Glimnt. The present incumbents will never take us there as they have no ambition.
Aye but but you swing and miss you’re sevco.
The difference is Bodo Glimt play in a much more professional football association not an outdated SFA still clinging to a 130 yo business based on sectarian divides from the last century using controversy and poor management together with a complete lack of sporting integrity in games and competition as their key strategy.
Yes, it’s heart warming – and gives hope – that a ‘wee’ team like Bodo Glimt can still take on – and beat – the big teams.
I’m sure they must be every neutrals’ preferred team to go on and lift the CL trophy now?
Our club could do worse than try and send someone to go over there to shadow the club’s operations [if possible],
and find out just how they do it? A great learning opportunity?
It’s probably not just about the football either – but how the club is run, and how the club treats its own supporters…?
Ross Desmond should be known as ‘Spot ‘ the Honey Badger from now onwards .
The guy has 5″ thick skin just like the nutty animal who is always out on the prowl for unsuspecting victims . Any amount of criticism won’t bother this stoic , extremely wealthy individual as he’s way too busy making plenty of dough from other businesses other than Celtic to make him fret for 2 seconds .
A ‘rich boy’s toy ! ‘ That’s the way this bronco regards Celtic FC , of that I have no doubt !
Celtic – led by smalltime wankers. Get them out of our club.
Sobering article – or perhaps it would drive ya to fu**in drink !