Celtic travel to Kilmarnock on Sunday, and the return of grass at Rugby Park might not be the easy ride some expect. The champions need to avoid any lingering 'Bodo curse' as new striker Kasper Hogh adapts to playing on natural turf after his move from Bodo/Glimt.
Hogh's grass comment sparks concern
Hogh's throwaway comment in his post-match interview after the Dundee opener was 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 suggest 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.
Rugby Park has been a tricky venue
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 must not dither
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.
Hogh needs the right service
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 needs to worry about is the clumps inside the 18-yard box.
