Despite all of the distractions there’s a football match being played on Wednesday night at Celtic Park.
A near full house is expected for the visit of Linfield with Celtic fans looking for their side to hit the goal trail with stiffer opposition in the form of Rosenborg or Dundalk visiting next week.
Brendan Rodgers will use the game to sharpen up match fitness for his preferred first XI with little interest in squad rotation to give fringe players an opportunity.
A calf injury to Leigh Griffiths hands Moussa Dembele a starting spot with the main interest likely to be in midfield where Olivier Tdcham is likely to be given a run.
With no progress appearing to be made over Stuart Armstrong’s contract the former Dundee United midfielder could find himself falling out of favour.
There will be some background noise from the travelling support but the comparison with Windsor Park on Friday will be stark with most fans expecting to see their side hit the net at least five times.
CRAIG GORDON
Will have even less to do than he had on Friday but re-establishing his relationship with the central defenders is vital.
Tougher tests will quickly follow with the hoops keeper under the spotlight for Harry Kane’s goal against Scotland last month.
Keepers tend to be judged by their mistakes, Gordon knows that more than most and has bounced back from worse set backs in his career.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
Will love the opportunity to charge forward at will as David Healy’s side surrender any pretensions to attack Celtic.
With a minimal summer break he is back in the firing line looking like he hasn’t been away- mainly because he hasn’t.
He revels in the Champions League and could be looking at a return to Rosenborg by the time the game kicks off.
JOZO SIMUNOVIC
Has created a bit of a stir switching his international allegiance from Croatia to Bosnia but strolled through Friday’s match.
Celtic pay transfer fees of three and four million to reach the Champions League with this campaign his first as a Celtic player.
Getting the relationship right in central defence will cut out the chances of losing cheap goals giving the team the best chance of progress.
ERIK SVIATCHENKO
Will be closely watched as a likely starter for the remaining qualifiers.
Didn’t look comfortable at times in the first leg but can use Wednesday’s return match to improve his fitness and relationship with Jozo Simunovic.
A steady partnership is something that most managers look for, Erik has the chance to state his case as Dedryck Boyata returns from injury.
KIERAN TIERNEY
Mister reliable at the age of 20- what’s happening?
Yes he is getting better and better. Has little to prove to anyone but himself as he gets better and better.
He thrived in the Champions League last season, his partnership with Scott Sinclair can take Celtic back to that stage.
SCOTT BROWN
The skipper will ensure a job is done on Linfield with the Windsor Park mob in his thoughts.
Beyond this game it is effectively a warm up for Rosenborg or Dundalk as the stakes and standards are raised.
Last season he was among the top midfielder in the group phase of the Champions League and will be looking to return and improve on those standards.
CALLUM MCGREGOR
He’s used to facing a challenge for a place but also used to the demands of Champions League qualifiers.
Last season he finished as one of Brendan Rodgers most on form players.
Those standards will be required again with the challenge from Eboue Kouassi likely to be stronger than from Nir Bitton.
JAMES FORREST
Was given his chance against Astana a year ago and managed to hold off Patrick Roberts for the majority of the campaign.
The space at Celtic Park is perfect for a winger to tear apart part-time opponents, Forest will know exactly what is expected.
His delivery is often overlooked but with an eye for goal he is an important part of Celtic’s Champions League plan.
OLIVIER NTCHAM
After stretching his legs against Lyon he’ll be looking forward to a competitive clash with Linfield.
This match will test his readiness for the third qualifying round as he adapts to a new style of football with the stakes sky high.
At £4m he wasn’t brought in to defend the treble, he watched Moussa Dembele excel last season in the Champions League and will fancy more of the same.
SCOTT SINCLAIR
Looked in good form on Friday night and will be given incredible backing to take the Linfield defence apart.
The bonfire boys won’t dominate his thoughts, he’s too professional for that but a little personal motivation never did any harm.
The Champions League is where he wants to be, with Kieran Tierney in tandem there’s not a better left sided partnership in the qualifying stages of the Champions League.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
Leigh Griffiths could do with a rest from the hate mob spotlight, and could end up with a UEFA suspension for upsetting the hate filled people of Windsor Park.
Dembele has the game to worry any team in Europe and should have a massive impact on the qualifiers.
He made his name in last season’s Champions League- he needs to return to that stage to continue his career development.