Key Points
- Former Celtic player Vidar Riseth has advised that Celtic can extract maximum value from striker Kasper Høgh by deploying him as a decoy to create space for team-mates.
- The 25-year-old Danish forward moved to Celtic from Norwegian club FK Bodø/Glimt in the summer for a club-record fee of £11m plus add-ons.
- Høgh is currently experiencing an 18-match goal drought for both club and country, creating scrutiny around his role in Glasgow.
- Riseth noted that Høgh was accustomed to receiving more aerial crosses during his time at Bodø/Glimt, whereas Celtic currently rely on him to play with his back to goal and lay off passes.
- During his spell in Norway, Høgh demonstrated proven pedigree in elite European competition, scoring against European heavyweights including Manchester City and Atlético Madrid.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) November 4, 2026 – Former Celtic utility man Vidar Riseth has suggested that the key to unlocking the full potential of striker Kasper Høgh lies in using his physical attributes to create space for others, rather than evaluating his performance strictly on goal output.
How can Celtic alter their tactical approach to unburden Kasper Høgh?
As reported by Matthew Fulton of the Glasgow Times, former Norway international Vidar Riseth outlined how a slight shift in team setup could help the club-record acquisition overcome his current form slump. Høgh made the move to Parkhead during the summer transfer window following an £11m transfer from Eliteserien champions FK Bodø/Glimt. Despite high expectations, the Danish forward is enduring a difficult period in Scotland, having gone 18 matches without a goal across all competitions for club and country.
Addressing the tactical differences between Høgh’s previous club and his current environment, Riseth explained that the nature of service provided to the forward has altered significantly. As reported by Matthew Fulton of the Glasgow Times, Vidar Riseth stated:
“I think he’d like to get more crosses, as he did at Bodø, because he’s such a big lad with a good finish. Now they’re playing more up to him and asking to get the ball back again, so it’s different for him, but the most important thing for Martin is Celtic winning games.”
Can Høgh contribute effectively without scoring goals directly?
Riseth, who won 52 caps for Norway and spent two years at Celtic between 1998 and 2000, insisted that Høgh’s overall tactical value should not be measured solely by his personal goal tally. The Norwegian highlighted that during Høgh’s time in Norway, his physical presence consistently occupied opposition central defenders, which opened up scoring channels for incoming midfielders and wide players.
As reported by Matthew Fulton of the Glasgow Times, Vidar Riseth stated:
“If Martin wants to use Høgh as a way to give more space to other players, then that’s the best way to use him. Sometimes at Bodø he didn’t score the goals, but there’s always one or two defenders on him all the time. That gives space to the midfield and to other players to come through and score the goals. If he works hard and does a good job, it doesn’t matter who scores.”
During his tenure at FK Bodø/Glimt, Høgh repeatedly demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level of European football. He registered goals against continental opposition in the UEFA Champions League, including strikes against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. Riseth maintains that these performances prove the forward possesses the requisite quality to succeed at Parkhead once his role is fully aligned with his strengths.
What is the background of this particular development?
The background to this tactical discussion stems from Celtic’s significant financial investment in Kasper Høgh during the summer 2026 transfer window. Seeking to bolster their attacking options for domestic and European campaigns, Celtic agreed to an £11m fee with FK Bodø/Glimt, making the Danish striker the most expensive signing in the Scottish club’s history. Høgh’s arrival was met with considerable anticipation following his prolific displays in Norway and eye-catching goals in European competition.
However, adapting to the tactical demands of Scottish football has proven challenging. Rather than serving as a focal point for direct crosses into the penalty area as he did in Bodø/Glimt’s fluid attack, Høgh has frequently been tasked with hold-up play, operating with his back to goal to link up midfield runners. This structural adjustment, combined with heightened pressure surrounding his record price tag, has coincided with an 18-game goal drought. Consequently, media pundits and former players have engaged in ongoing debate regarding whether Celtic’s tactical setup requires adaptation to suit the striker’s skill set.
What is the prediction for how this development will affect the audience?
If Celtic’s coaching staff elect to adopt Vidar Riseth’s tactical recommendations, the impact will be felt directly across several key sections of the club’s audience and ecosystem:
- For the Celtic Supporters: Fans attending matches at Parkhead may witness a shift in how the team builds attacks. Rather than expecting Høgh to be the primary goalscorer, supporters might see him operating in a physical decoy role designed to draw defenders out of position. While this could result in Høgh’s personal goal tally remaining modest in the short term, it may yield higher overall team scoring output and more fluid offensive displays, potentially easing frustration among the fan base.
- For the Celtic Squad and Midfielders: Tactical adjustments centered on Høgh drawing central defenders will directly benefit attacking midfielders and wingers. Players making late runs into the penalty area will find increased space and time to shoot. Midfield players could see an increase in their scoring statistics as opposition backlines focus their physical attention on containing the Danish striker.
- For Opposition Defences: Managers and defenders preparing to face Celtic will be forced to re-evaluate their defensive marking schemes. If Høgh is deployed strictly as a decoy, opposition center-backs cannot simply double-team him without leaving high-value central spaces vulnerable to secondary runners, presenting complex tactical dilemmas during matches.
