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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Who is Ola Solbakken? Celtic earmark Bodo Glimt rising star with the Arjen Robben trademark

The domestic campaign is hurtling towards a thrilling conclusion but it also means transfer season is just around the corner.

And it's usually this time of year that potential targets begin flitting onto fans' radars ahead of the summer to come.

Celtic have been reinvigorated in the market under Ange Postecoglou, with their manager presiding over a highly impressive signing hit rate since taking the job in June 2021.

But despite leading his team to the brink of a domestic double, the manager's rebuild is not done yet.

Fans are desperate for the club to tie down Jota on a permanent deal from Benfica after a scintillating season on loan.

But, if a deal can't be done, the Daily Mail report Celtic will turn to Bodo/Glimt star Ola Solbakken.

(NurPhoto/PA Images)

The Norwegian champions eliminated Postecoglou's side from the Europa Conference League earlier this season, with the 23-year-old at the heart of it.

Here, Record Sport Online takes a closer look at him.

Who is Ola Solbakken?

Solbakken began his career in Rosenborg's youth ranks before getting his senior break with Ranheim in Norway's top-flight.

The 2019 season proved to be his breakthrough campaign, making 30 appearances and notching five goals for a side who finished bottom of the league.

But Solbakken's potential nonetheless attracted the interest of Bodo/Glimt, a club very much on the rise.

They snapped up the youngster to bolster their title ambitions and he helped his new club romp home 19 points clear of Molde the following year.

He's since made the step up to senior international football with Norway and announced himself on the European stage - scoring twice in Bodo's famous 6-1 hammering of Roma in October 2021

Solbakken was also key in dumping Celtic out of the Conference League earlier this season, but more on that later.

What would he bring to Celtic?

A tall, fast, powerful presence on the wing.

While Jota has primarily operated from the left flank as right-footed winger, Solbakken is the opposite.

There's shades of Arjen Robben about his preferred move in possession - cutting in off the right and looking for the far corner with a whipped effort.

It's a style that would bring added variety to Celtic's attack, which has often placed emphasis on crosses and cutbacks from wide areas.

(NurPhoto/PA Images)

He can also operate from the left which would give Postecoglou further flexibility.

Solbakken possesses delightful close control and a nimble dribbling ability, often brilliantly nicking the ball away from an opponent at the last second and taking them out of the game in the process.

He also possesses a powerful shot and has a knack for a spectacular finish or two.

His overall goal return of 17 in 70 appearances for Bodo, however, suggests that particular output has room for improvement, especially considering he is now playing for the dominant side in Norway.

Tormenting Celtic

If Solbakken seems familiar, it's likely because he was integral in Bodo eliminating Celtic from the Europa Conference League earlier this season.

Knutsen's side ran out comfortable winners over two legs, with Solbakken helping himself to the first goal in the second leg, one that effectively killed the tie.

He also caught the eye at Celtic Park for an elegant run that left Matt O'Riley and Greg Taylor in his wake for Amahl Pellegrino to score Bodo's second on the night.

Solbakken was one of a number of the Norwegian side's players who had Celtic fans talking in the aftermath.

A report later emerged that the club considered the winger during the summer transfer without firming up their interest.

How likely is a deal?

The Daily Mail reports Solbakken is a backup option at this stage with Celtic's priority still being to get Jota in on a permanent deal.

The club have an option to buy the on-loan Benfica star for £6million at the end of his loan.

That requires Jota to agree to the transfer and he declined to discuss his future after playing a starring role in the weekend win over Ross County, one that put Celtic on the brink of sealing the title.

He told Sky Sports: "Not a chance am I thinking about next season. I am just enjoying day by day.

"It has been a terrific season for me and I am just enjoying getting to know the people around me. I am trying to be a better player and I am being with better quality players every day.

"I don't want to talk about that. I just want to enjoy and give everything for this shirt.

"As a football player, you need to keep your mind on the pitch, that's all the matters. Bureaucratic things are for others. Please just let me enjoy my football."

It's hard to infer too much from Jota's guarded stance, however, considering Celtic are at an incredibly important juncture in the league season.

Making a definitive statement, or even a suggestive one, would create a distraction that neither the player nor his manager would want at this moment in time.

What's obvious is Jota has clearly played the best football of his career at Parkhead and that will likely factor into his eventual decision.

It also means any potential move for Solbakken will probably remain in the rear view mirror for now.

Postecoglou is not short of options on the flanks, but transfer windows are highly fluid and plenty can happen between now and the end of the summer.

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