Ange Postecoglou on gap between Tottenham and Bodo/Glimt

Ange Postecoglou has played down the perceived gulf in quality between Tottenham and their Europa League opponents Bodo/Glimt ahead of the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday night.

Based in a town with a population of less than 50,000 and playing in a stadium that holds less than 10,000 spectators, Bodo/Glimt have climbed from the Norwegian second tier to become the most dominant club in the country in less than a decade.

Under the auspices of Kjetil Knutsen since 2018, Bodo/Glimt have finished no lower than second in the last six seasons and have won four of the last five league titles, overthrowing the likes of Rosenborg and Molde.

But despite their more humble background, Postecoglou is under no illusions regarding the quality of the side, who he insists are where they are on merit. When the size difference was put to Postecoglou in his pre-match press conference, the Spurs boss said: "You'd love us to think you're a small club and we don't rate you!

"Bodo's there on merit. They beat Lazio, they beat Olympiacos - tough teams. They're there because they're a good football team, it doesn't matter where you come from, I don't underestimate anything and we're going to treat them with the respect they deserve."

While Bodo/Glimt are unlikely to roll over to their Premier League opponents, Spurs are 2/9 to qualify and will expect to reach a first UEFA Cup/Europa League final since 1984 when they beat Anderlecht on penalties.

Nevertheless, Postecoglou has first-hand experience of the threat their Norwegian opponents can cause, having beaten his Celtic side home and away in 2022 and Postecoglou believes similarities remain three years on.

"Same manager, similar style of play, when we played them with Celtic, our season had got off to a slow start but by that time we were playing some decent football," said Postecoglou.

"I remember their ability to play at a really good intensity, they weren't fazed, the atmosphere at Celtic Park is unbelievable - they weren't fazed by that, they'd beaten Roma.

"I don't think they're going to be daunted. They've been to Old Trafford, they've played at the Emirates, they won't be overawed by the occasion."

Liam Williams

• Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
• Europa League
• European Football
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