Who could Celtic face in Champions League play-off round?

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.

BATE BORISOV

Made heavy weather of the second round matches against Alashkert of Armenia, drawing 1-1 at home then winning 3-1 away to book a third round meeting with Slavia Prague.

Last season they lost out to Astana (who Celtic ko’d) in the Europa League play-off which would have been a disappointment after reaching the Champions League group phase the previous season where they took four points from Roma.

Halfway through the domestic season they are in second place three points behind Shakhtyor having won 10 matches, draw 3 and lost 2.

LEGIA WARSAW

Don’t really need too much introduction, after finally reaching the Champions League group phase a range of supporter incidents meant that they had to play behind closed doors against Real Madrid.

After Linfield this really would be another tie to be avoided.

They showed impressive form to beat Finnish champions Mariehamn 9-0 on aggregate and now face Astana for a play-off place.

APOEL NICOSIA

Struggled to a pair of 1-0 wins over Dudelange of Luxembourg in the second round to earn a third round tie with Romanian side Viitoral.

Last season they lost out to Kobenhavn in the Champions League play off after beating Rosenborg 4-2 in the third qualifying round.

In the Europa League they reached the last 16 where they lost out to Anderlecht and are well experienced in European competitions.

NK MARIBOR

Don’t need too much of an introduction but surely Celtic have the all round strength to exact belated revenge for that defeat in 2014.

Luck seems to be on their side, after wriggling past Zrinjski of Bosnia on a 3-2 aggregate they face Icelandic champions FH for a play off place.

After beating Aberdeen in the third qualifying round of last seasons Europa League they lost out in the play off round to Gabala who recently strengthened their side by signing Andy Halliday on loan.

QARABAG

Another familiar name, they cruised past Samtredia of Georgia on a 6-0 aggregate to book a third round tie with Sheriff of Moldova.

Last season they went out to Plzen in the second round of the Champions League qualifiers and will be eager to make up for that set-back.

Qarabag have been knocking on the door of the Champions League for a while but have only got two Europa League group phase visits to their name.