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Fullname: Oliver Abildgaard Nielsen
aka: Oliver Abildgaard, Oliver Nielsen
Born: 10 June 1996
Birthplace: Hasseris, Denmark
Signed: 1 Sep 2022 (1yr on loan from FC Rubin Kazan)
Left: 31 Jan 2023 (loan ended early, moved to Hellas Verona)
Position: Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder
Debut: 2022-10-01: Celtic 2-1 Motherwell, SP
Squad No.: 28
Internationals: Denmark
International Caps: 1 [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: 0 [TBC at end of career]
Biog
Danish midfielder Abildgaard arrived at Celtic in an almost unique situation.
After having moved from Aalborg to Russia in 2020, he found himself in an unwelcome environment being based in Russia during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which led to sporting sanctions against Russian sides. Abildgaard had been keen to get out of his deal, and in September 2022 he jumped on a loan move to Celtic for a one year loan move albeit to return in a years time back to his parent club.
He was the third player of late to come from Rubin Kazan, following Starfelt and Haksabanovic, so a bit of a reunion.
A defensive midfielder, he was seen as necessary to help give backing to a midfield that was productive and talented but lacking some mettle when under pressure.
He was relatively physically bigger than some of the squad with the team often over relying on Carter Vickers for the physical side of the game. As Postecoglu put it:
“It’s no secret, he adds a bit of size to our team. Most of our side will struggle to get on any rides at Disneyland.”
He was hoped to be backup support for McGregor in what was expected to be a packed season with Celtic fighting to retain the league title in a revitalised squad under Postecoglu and in the Champions League.
He ended up thrown straight into the deep end when McGregor was out due a knee injury against Leipzig in October 2022. It was a tough ask but Celtic by this point were now dead in the water in this Champions League campaign. He did fine in the circumstances but not the easiest time to get involved and demonstrate what you can do.
He’d at least realised a family dream to see him play with Celtic, and in the Champions League too at the Bernabeu (regardless that it was a 5-1 defeat!). His grandfather lived in Aberdeen and was a big Celtic fan.
He was given a run of games whilst McGregor was out but only ever played off the bench with little on-field gametime. He was decent enough on-field but a repeat complaint from the support was that there was little enough to judge him on. Despite the number of games he’d been involved in, his actual total gametime was quite sparse. Mooy and O’Reilly were the preferred options to cover for McGregor which likely put the writing on the wall for his loan spell.
Loanees have to hit the ground running to prove their worth, and he struggled to do so. As a loanee aiming to impress it will have been demoralising, not helped by the internal competition from a strong squad over-filled with midfielders with other potential inbound players repeatedly linked to the club in the media.
His loan deal was reportedly to be cut early in January 2023, and there was some sympathy for him. He wasn’t alone with fellow Celtic loanee Moritz Jenz also cut as well as various others looked to be moved on. It showed a new ruthlessness when it came to transfers in the new regime, something that hadn’t been seen since Rodgers.
It’s fair to argue he was given little enough time in the first team to prove himself but maybe the bar had already been raised a notch or two higher than when he had first arrived. After the poor Champions League campaign, the management more clearly knew now that even higher standards were needed. Some reports claimed Abildgaard lacked some fitness but that could be worked on.
Being sent back to Russia under the dark political clouds of the time was an uncomfortable dilemma for everyone involved. Many clubs were shying away from any contact with Russian clubs, likely further hindering opportunities for Abildgaard.
However, Italian Serie A side Hellas Verona stepped in to take him off of Celtic’s hands (on loan) in January 2023, so thankfully providing him an escape route away from retuning to Russia.
We wished him the best, possibly even more so in this case than in general when a loanee leaves due to the unwelcome cross-border contractual situation he was stuck in.
Post-Celtic
He moved onto Como in Italy’s second tier on a permanent move in the summer of 2023, extricating him wholly away from the escalating Ukraine/Russia war environment.
[….]
Quotes
“It’s no secret, he adds a bit of size to our team. Most of our side will struggle to get on any rides at Disneyland. I like that he plays that single pivot really well but then can play in a double pivot. He is effective going forward but can be a shield.”
Ange on Abildgaard (Sep 2022)
“My granddad, he lives in Aberdeen and is a huge Celtic fan. Maybe that’s where it comes from.”
Abildgaard (Sep 2022)
“There is something not right. He has not come in and done what Ange wanted. Put it this way, he is not any better than what we have got.”
Ex-Celt McAvennie on Abildgaard (Jan 2023)
“It all comes to an end, before it even started. Despite my short period of time in the club I have witnessed the truly special atmosphere at Paradise, the incredible support from our fans and the beautiful values this club is based on. I want to express my gratitude to Celtic for, amongst other things, getting me back on track physically and fully fit to start my next adventure. Thanks for all the beautiful memories you have given me, that I will carry with me forever. I wish all the best of luck to everyone connected to the club.”
Oliver Abildgaard farewell message to Celtic (2023)
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2022-23 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
Pictures
Forums
- First Thread (started Sep 2022)
Articles
Celtic announce 9th signing of the summer with season-long loan for international
By Joel Sked
Thursday, 1st September 2022, 11:45 pm
-www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-announce-9th-signing-of-the-summer-with-season-long-loan-for-international-3828390
He played nearly 100 games for Aalborg in his homeland before making the switch to Russia, making 62 appearances for Kazan where he was a team-mate of Carl Starfelt and Sead Haksbanovic. His last appearance came in May.
Celtic confirm signing of Danish International Abildgaard
By LUBO98 1 September, 2022
-https://thecelticstar.com/celtic-confirm-signing-of-danish-international-abildgaard/
Celtic have completed the signing of Danish Internationalist Oliver Abildgaard from Rubin Kazan. This is Celtic’s third signing from the Russian side with Carl Starfelt and Sead Haksabanovic joining.
The 26-year-old joins on a season-long deal as Ange Postecoglou adds depth to the defensive midfield position as the manager prepares for the Champions League.
#VelkommenOliver!
Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Danish midfielder, Oliver Abildgaard on a season-long deal, subject to international clearance. 🇩🇰
Welcome to #CelticFC, Oliver!
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 1, 2022
us playing @EASPORTSFIFA today: pic.twitter.com/ah9XneRTSK
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 1, 2022
The former Aalborg midfielder moved to Russia in 2020 on a loan deal before making the move permanent later that year. Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abildgaard had been keen to get his deal ripped up. It isn’t clear if there is an option to buy but you would imagine Celtic will have added it in.
It has been an impressive window for Celtic adding Benjamin Siegrist between the sticks, Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal, Moritz Jenz on a loan-to-buy, Alexander Bernabei as Greg Taylor’s deputy, Aaron Mooy, Sead Haksabanovic in attack, Jota on a permanent move and Daizen Maeda on a permanent deal. The outgoings have been substantial, too. Celtic moved Soro, Jullien, Barkas, Bolingoli and Ajeti along with a number of loan signings.