Celtic’s chances of signing Birger Meling get better after Rosenborg’s result last night

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Celtic are in the hunt for a new left-back this summer. With Kieran Tierney and Emilio Izaguirre both leaving the club Neil Lennon needs two new recruits in the role. 

The club have already snapped up Boli Bolingoli from Rapid Vienna and the latest target appears to be Rosenborg defender Birger Meling.

As reported by The Herald over the weekend, Celtic were said to be closing in on the player’s signature. 

It appears that a deal is not as immediately pressing as that report suggested but Celtic do seem to be keen on the 10-cap Norwegian international. 

Meling’s agent Bjorn Tore Kvarme spoke of his chances of a transfer to the Glasgow Evening times this week. The former Liverpool defender suggested that Rosenborg’s participation in the Champions League could play a pivotal role in any transfer discussions. 

“But if Rosenborg get into the Champions League that is interesting for Birger as well. We will have to wait and see what happens.”

Firstly, Meling would perhaps be unwilling to leave the Norwegian side if he had Champions League football available to him in Trondheim. 

Secondly, the Norwegian giants would not be in a financial position where they need to sell Meling if they qualified for the Champions League group stage. 

So Rosenborg’s result in Zagreb this evening is likely to please Celtic fans. 

The Norwegian side lost 2-0 to Dinamo Zagreb and now face an uphill task next Tuesday if they are to make it into the Champions League group stages.

If they fail to do so, Celtic’s job of signing Meling might become a little easier.