It is a big if (beating Rosenborg) but Brendan Rodgers’ side are now a few matches away from the initial target of any season- reaching the group phase of the Champions League.
Rosenborg will present a significant challenge, playing Scandinavian sides in mid-season is a real test as HJK Helsinki, Helsingborgs, Elfsborg and of course Malmo have demonstrated.
Two draws against Dundalk don’t suggest a team ready to go into the Champions League group phase but the matches against the Norwegians will be about Celtic with Rodgers’ thoughts all geared towards these matches.
Twelve months ago the Irishman was negotiating these fixtures half blindfolded as he got to know his squad, adding Kolo Toure and Scott Sinclair as he went along.
This year the team is much more stable, Rodgers knows his squad and equally they know their manager and the depth of preparation that he puts in for their success.
If Celtic can get past Rosenborg the standard of opponent won’t change much in the play-off round.
Getting it right over the next two matches will help set up the season with everything around the club geared towards securing six magical nights through the autumn and winter.