WALKING ON A TIGHTROPE: A CELTIC-ROSENBORG PREVIEW

CELTIC V ROSENBORG (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD ROUND QUALIFIER FIRST LEG: WEDNESDAY 26TH JULY; 7:45PM)

After a week of talk almost entirely focused on off the pitch activities, it’s back to on the pitch matter as Norwegian champions Rosenberg come to Celtic Park as the Champions League adventure continues.

Team Selection: With Brendan Rodgers all but confirming that both Erik Sviatchenko and Moussa Dembele are set to miss the game - along with the suspended Leigh Griffiths - it seems that Celtic will play the 3-4-3 formation that we played last week against Linfield, with Tierney, Simunovic and Lustig at the back and Forrest and Hayes supporting Sinclair, who will be the furthest player forward. Midfield will be interesting as well, will Stuart Armstrong regain his place in the starting line-up? You would think so.

Previous Meetings: The teams last met at Celtic Park was in the Champions League group stages on October 10th 2001, with an Alan Thompson free-kick giving Celtic a 1-0 victory.

Prediction: It will no doubt be a nervy night ahead at Celtic Park, what with our injury problems and the struggles we have had in this round in particular in recent years, against the likes of Qarabag and Astana. The no doubt...subdued atmosphere due to the absence of Green Brigade could also play a part, but I feel that despite all this Celtic have he capacity to get a victory, and hopefully not concede an away goal in the process.

Celtic 2 Rosenborg 0