Celtic's Bodo Curse and the Grass at Rugby Park

Celtic must overcome the Bodo curse and a tough test at Rugby Park against Rangers, who are looking to close the gap in the title race. The champions head down the M77 on Sunday and will experience a new Rugby Park surface.

Kasper Hogh's throwaway comment in his post-match interview after the Dundee opener was a bit of an eye-opener. The big Dane admitted he’s going to have to get used to playing on grass again following his move from Bodo/Glimt. Maybe he had a point. And maybe that’s why there’s this so-called Bodo curse – where former stars can’t cut it when they leave the Arctic Circle.

Celtic want to dodge any hoodoo with Hogh but the early signs are he’ll be just fine despite fluffing a few sitters against Dundee. He might be the only man gutted that Kilmarnock ripped up their plastic pitch, mind you. There won’t be many of his team-mates shedding tears over the artificial surface going at Rugby Park.

This is a venue where Celts have enjoyed some wild celebrations – but usually after a ton of stress. There have been more than a few dodgy results down there too. In the 12 non-grass years in Ayrshire, Celtic failed to win in six out of 19 visits. It’s not a horrendous record in the grand scheme, but it’s more slip ups than on most trips beyond Parkhead.

It took the Hoops two stoppage-time winners last term but Brendan Rodgers lost in the Premiership and League Cup a couple of seasons ago, two defeats in 2018 and a couple of draws in 2015 and 2020. There’s been the occasional scudding dished out – like the 5-0 title clincher in 2025 – but it’s usually been like a school hols day out with the kids – fun but relief when it’s all over.

But now that the grass is back, it should be a stroll. Not quite. The plastic was only a small part of the problem against Kilmarnock over the years. Mostly it was because the Rugby Park club has a top owner in Billy Bowie, who has appointed top managers who have signed good players and built good teams. They’ve got another good manager now in Neil McCann and, while he could do with replacing some of the quality that left over the summer, he will make them just as tough a prospect on grass, plastic or red ash.

Celtic shouldn’t assume that because the 3G, 4G or xG – or whatever those surfaces are called – is gone, they will be in for a cruise. Especially after another summer spent window shopping while the trolley lies half empty. The team can’t dither on Sunday either. Celtic could be five points ahead of Rangers by the time their old chums kick-off against Hibs at Ibrox later in the afternoon. It might only be August but that would be an early stress test for a Gers manager who also could be doing with another round of transfer supermarket sweep.

Meanwhile, the key for Celtic will be getting the most out of one of their few new faces. Hogh looks like he can be the focal point the Hoops need – but only if they use him properly. The hitman spent way too much time on his debut dropping deep and looking for the ball. He did okay but he’s not that kind of player. The fact he’s over 6ft means there’s always a temptation to aim for his napper but it’s not what helped him plunder goals every other week in Norway.

Martin O’Neill – when he gets back – along with his coaching staff have a pickle trying to work out how to fit Hogh and Camilo Duran into a frontline with a couple of wingers and Benjamin Nygren, without leaving the midfield like Swiss cheese. The message for Hogh should be simple though. The only grass he will be playing on this weekend is the one at Rugby Park.

What happened?

Celtic are looking to overcome the Bodo curse and a tough test at Rugby Park against Rangers, who are looking to close the gap in the title race.

Why it matters for Rangers

The champions head down the M77 on Sunday and will experience a new Rugby Park surface. Celtic could be five points ahead of Rangers by the time their old chums kick-off against Hibs at Ibrox later in the afternoon.

What comes next?

The key for Celtic will be getting the most out of one of their few new faces. Hogh looks like he can be the focal point the Hoops need – but only if they use him properly.

Recent form

Rangers are currently on a 2-game winning run, with 66 goals scored and 31 conceded this season. They are 1 point behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian in the title race, and have a recent form of 2W-0D-3L (WWLLL).

Injuries

Ben Godfrey and José Cifuentes are currently sidelined for Rangers.

League standing

Rangers are currently 2nd in the Premiership, with 69 points from 33 games, and a recent form of WLLLL.

Last result

Falkirk 2-5 Rangers (2026-05-16) was Rangers' last result, with a 5-2 win over Falkirk.