Celtic fans of a certain generation have grown accustomed to domestic dominance.
Yet, as the years pass, many are still waiting to see Celtic replicate that success on the European stage.
Martin O’Neill remains one of the last Celtic managers to build a domestic powerhouse while also competing at the highest level in continental football.
Fresh off an Old Firm derby victory over Rangers on Sunday, O’Neill will lead the Hoops into European action on Thursday night against FC Midtjylland in Denmark.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Celtic chiefs continue their search for a permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers.
The question remains: who will step in to take O’Neill’s place long-term?
One name that has long been on the radar of Celtic supporters is Kjetil Knutsen — the Bodo/Glimt boss who has mastered the art of domestic dominance while making impressive strides in Europe.
With his current contract set to expire at the end of this year, Knutsen could finally be within reach for the Hoops.
The Norwegian tactician is regarded as one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe, thanks to the remarkable work he has accomplished with Bodo/Glimt.
Whenever Celtic or Rangers have been on the hunt for a new manager in recent years, Knusten has often been one of the names high up on the agenda.
He hasn’t just attracted interest from Scotland, either. Ajax were given permission to speak with Knutsen in June 2023 but were turned down as he chose to stay in Norway. Leeds United also expressed serious interest in appointing him.
So why is the Bodo/Glimt manager held in such high regard across Europe?
Because Kjetil Knutsen has done what many thought impossible — transforming a modest club from above the Arctic Circle into one of Europe’s most admired footballing projects.
Against all odds, he has built a dynasty in northern Norway that continues to punch far above its weight.
On paper, Bodo/Glimt should never have been able to compete with Europe’s elite.
They operate on a modest budget, play in a stadium battered by winter winds, and rely heavily on homegrown talent.
Yet under Knutsen, they have become a continental force. The football world truly took notice when they thrashed Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6–1 in 2021.
When Knutsen took charge in 2018, Glimt were mid-table survivors.
Within two seasons, they were Norwegian champions for the first time in their history.
The 2020 campaign was historic. Glimt didn’t just win the Eliteserien — they obliterated the competition, racking up 81 points and scoring over 100 goals. They repeated the feat a year later, proving it was no fluke.
That dominance opened the door to European success.
In the 2021/22 Europa Conference League, Glimt produced a stunning run to the quarter-finals, famously defeating Celtic and Ange Postecoglou along the way — denying the Hoops their first European knockout win since O’Neill’s side in 2003.
Rangers legend Ally McCoist even mocked his old rivals, joking that they had lost to a “Wifi password” — highlighting Glimt’s rise from obscurity to European respectability in the years following.
The momentum continued last season when Glimt reached the Europa League semi-finals, an unprecedented feat for a Norwegian club.
Their dream run ended against eventual champions Tottenham Hotspur, managed by Postecoglou, who earned some revenge.
This season has been more challenging. Competing in the Champions League, Glimt have found life tough against Europe’s best, collecting just two points from four games.
Even so, Knutsen’s name continues to surface whenever a top job opens up.
His loyalty is as remarkable as his success — he has repeatedly said he’s “not finished” with Bodo/Glimt, insisting his mission goes beyond trophies.
Rumours in Norway suggest Knutsen has a unique contract granting him exceptional control over recruitment, player development, and transfers — a potential reason why he has remained in Bodo despite major offers.
However, his contract expires at the end of this year, and many Celtic fans believe he could be the man insider Gordon Strachan hinted at when he said the club’s preferred candidate “won’t be available until December”.
Knutsen’s credentials are hard to ignore: four league titles, multiple Manager of the Year awards, and a reputation for transforming clubs from the inside out.
Under his stewardship, Bodo/Glimt have become a talent factory, producing and selling stars such as Jens Petter Hauge, Fredrik Bjorkan, and Patrick Berg to Europe’s top leagues — only for all three to return and continue thriving under Knutsen’s guidance.
Still, his future remains uncertain.
Asked recently about his expiring contract, Knutsen told TV2: “At the moment, there are no talks. The match schedule is too tight.”
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