How did record signing Hogh fare on Celtic debut?
How did record signing Hogh fare on Celtic debut?
Charlotte Cohen - BBC Sport ScotlandTue, August 4, 2026 at 11:09 AM UTC
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After his first outing for Celtic, record signing Kasper Hogh joked that he needs some "shooting practice".
The Denmark international played the full game as Martin O'Neill's side beat Dundee 1-0 at Parkhead to kick off their Premiership title defence.
But how did Hogh fare on his first outing for his new club?
Having cost a reported £11m from Bodo/Glimt, Hogh will ultimately be judged on goals but he was unable to get off the mark at the first time of asking, although it is clearly too early to judge a player who only joined last week.
He generated an expected goals (xG) of 0.88, the highest of any Celtic player including goalscorer Benjamin Nygren (0.86).
Hogh's four shots, all of which came inside the box, was also the most of any player, as was his eight touches inside the Dundee box.
The Dane was understandably disappointed not to get off the mark. He snatched at an early gilt-edged chance, scuffing wide from a Nygren pass, then diverted an effort from the Swede past the post.
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Hogh also poked wide in the second half as a debut goal proved elusive. Evidently, though, the striker knows where to be and is confident the goals will come.
On what he learned from his debut, Hogh told Sky Sports: "That we have amazing fans and I have to go to some shooting practice.
"I was just happy to be on the pitch and help my team-mates win. I can't do anything about it now [missing chances], I can just work on it and be happy for the win."
The striker looked decent in the air and won four of his seven aerial duels. Only centre-backs Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty won more.
Plus, only Carter-Vickers and winger Yang Hyun-jun won more duels than Hogh's five from 11.
Hogh also admitted it will take him a bit of time to get used to Celtic's grass pitch, with Bodo/Glimt and the majority of Norwegian top-flight sides playing on astroturf.
"I have to adapt to the grass, that's a different thing for me," he added. "I was just happy to be out there."
Source: “AOL Sports”
