The Celtic XI to overwhelm Rosenborg

An awful lot of water has flown under the bridge since Stuart Armstrong smashed home the fourth goal of the game against Linfield.

Away from the fierce online debates and controversies, Brendan Rodgers has had a week to prepare for Rosenborg with the Irishman having full reports on Dundalk and the Norwegian champions prepared shortly after the draw was made.

The 4-3-3 system preferred by Rosenborg is more likely to become a 4-5-1 as Celtic push for the lead that they’ll want to take to the return leg in Norway.

A 2-0 lead would be ideal, this Celtic side should be capable of scoring away to Rosenborg while the defence ought to have enough about them to avoid caving in.

Midfield will present Rodgers with the biggest selection challenge with the key decisions surrounding Armstrong and Olivier Ntcham.

Against Linfield he fielded five across the middle which opened a door to the former Manchester City man with Armstrong dropped onto the bench- at home to Rosenborg it could be role reversal.

There may be something missing from the usual atmosphere with the Green Brigade absent and season ticket holders being asked for £25 with hopefully another qualifier and group campaign ahead.

CRAIG GORDON

Wasn’t tested in the Linfield matches but had a few decent work outs in Austria.

He played behind a back four and back three in the matches against the Belfast mob and will need to be on his toes against Rosenborg.

A clean sheet is essential, away from home next week he will be busier but on form he can play a big part in taking Celtic into the play off round.

MIKAEL LUSTIG

The Swede has picked up where he finished last season and is looking forward to facing his old club.

As a defender or overlapping down the right he can be a big asset, he has an insight into his opponents and buckets of experience from his time with Celtic.

He knows that the club revolves around playing in the Champions League and will have a big influence on how this tie works out.

JOZO SIMUNOVIC

Is growing in to the type of defender we hoped he would be when he replaced Virgil van Dijk two years ago.

Clearly he is now the first choice central defender with Erik Sviatchenko the only other experienced defender currently available.

His relationship with Craig Gordon is the most consistent strand in the defence and needs to be on full alert for the next 180 minutes.

ERIK SVIATCHENKO

The pressure grows on the Dane week by week.

Dedryck Boyata’s injury opened the door for the away match against Linfield but when the side switched to a back three he was the fall guy.

He missed out on the Astana matches a year ago but has to use the games with Rosenborg to state his case for playing regularly- at Celtic or elsewhere.

KIERAN TIERNEY

He knows what is happening and the joys of reaching the group phase of the Champions League.

Despite the departure of Emilio Izaguirre there will be no dropping of standards as the Wishaw bhoy chases a place on the big stage.

Rosenborg will test him much more than Linfield but the success of his partnership with Scott Sinclair will be critical to Celtic’s progress.

SCOTT BROWN

The skipper revels in the extra responsibility that he carries into these matches.

He’ll be required to dictate the pace of the match, ensure that the midfield is fluid and that nothing is left to chance at the back.

A repeat of his collectors item goal against Hapoel a year ago would be very welcome but the skipper has bigger priorities.

STUART ARMSTRONG

I think that this could be the final peace offering to Armstrong and his agent- he won’t get games like this anywhere else any time soon.

Putting him in alongside Scott Brown would be harsh on Callum McGregor but Armstrong is more of a box to box type and carries the threat of scoring into every match.

JAMES FORREST

Since his dramatic goal against Karagandy four years ago virtually everything in the team has been overhauled.

A year ago an injury to Patrick Roberts opened the door to the academy graduate and he hasn’t looked back.

Jonny Hayes offers a different type of threat to his place but Forrest has been through it all before and won’t be caught short.

TOM ROGIC

There really hasn’t been any break for the Socceroo who rolled into pre-season training on the back of playing at the Confederations Cup in Russia.

He already has shown his eye for goal and will be a difficult player for Rosenborg to pick up on.

With Ntcham on the bench he can give us his best ever performance for an hour and soften up the Norwegians for the entrance of the French u21 internationalist.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

Came in for some tough treatment against Linfield but stood up to it and came back looking for more.

His goal threat is obvious with his link up play exceptional. Without doubt he is the player that makes Celtic tick a fact that Rosenborg will be well aware of.

Something special will be required tonight but he is at Celtic for Champions League nights, not the watered down Thursday competition.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

With Leigh Griffiths suspended the focus on Moussa Dembele will be even stronger than usual.

He looked a little rusty in the matches against Linfield but can put that right with one explosive display against Rosenborg.

Like Sinclair he is at Celtic to play in the Champions League, he can play a big part in ensuring another place in the group phase.