With Patrick Roberts back in the fold Celtic are, on paper at least, looking like having a very strong squad.
Not strong in terms of Bayern Munich or Paris St Germain but surely competitive enough to fancy our chances of edging the head-to-head with Anderlecht and picking up something from the home matches against the big hitters.
The return from injury of Eboue Kouassi should provide a boost at some stage while Olivier Ntcham looks a Champions League performer giving Brendan Rodgers the luxury of deciding whether Tom Rogic, Stuart Armstrong or Callum McGregor is best suited for the advanced midfielder role.
Defence is another matter entirely, highlighted by the recent glut of injuries.
While another striker would be nice before the transfer window closes if Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths are both fit our priority must be in strengthening the defence.
Neither Dedryck Boyata or Erik Sviatchenko have really imposed themselves on the team while Jozo Simunovic is linked with a departure in every transfer window.
From a position of strength thanks to wise management and back to back Champions League campaigns there has rarely been a better time to go into the transfer market even allowing for the outrageous inflation down south.
Finding a defensive Ntcham or Dembele is a tall order but bringing in another Virgil van Dijk or the 2017 Simunovic would set the tone for the season and another term of spectacular progress.
CRAIG GORDON
While he is supported and praised in public there must be some words behind the scenes about the mistakes creeping into his play.
Over the last couple of games he has been overkeen to get involved outside of the penalty box with unnecessary risks being taken.
He came back into the side 11 months ago against Manchester City and needs to regain that level of concentration for the weeks ahead.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
Like many he found the second half in Astana more testing than anticipated but for now remains the first choice right-back.
There’s unlikely to be too many attacking opportunities in the Champions League which should suit Lustig with his old ‘friend’ Neymar his first opponent.
His summer break was minimal but the sound of the Champions League anthem should work wonders for another season at least.
JOZO SIMUNOVIC
His absence over the last three matches has prompted a multitude of rumours with memories stretching back to a trip to Torino last summer.
Hopefully the offers and distractions put his way are cast aside as he concentrates on six massive challenges over the coming months- all of them played on grass.
Last season’s Champions League campaign largely passed him by, hopefully he can be a major influence on this season’s adventures.
INFLUENTIAL DEFENDER
A year ago Kolo Toure performed this task with distinction, his performances away to Hapoel Beer Sheva and at home to Manchester City can’t be underestimated.
Brendan Rodgers was able to play the Kolo card a year ago, in other circumstances Steven Caulker could have been that player but the timing doesn’t seem right.
The re-emergence of Dedryck Boyata has provided some sort of option but from all the scouting reports and data base updates hopefully there is someone ready to come in lead a defence.
KIERAN TIERNEY
No worries on this one, after facing upto Raheem Sterling a year ago his confidence and stature flourished.
Attacking is his biggest strength but in the Champions League his defensive attributes will be tested out.
More and more eyes are watching KT, Bayern were credited with an interest in him last season but his focus is all on Celtic rather than a shop window.
SCOTT BROWN
The skipper was a revelation in last season’s competition and should be even stronger alongside Olivier Ntcham and team-mates with a years experience under his belt.
There will be less onus on him to carry and support younger team-mates and more opportunity to influence in other ways.
With possession likely to be tilted against Celtic Brown will be in his element knowing that he is trusted by one of the top coaches in the game.
OLIVIER NTCHAM
This is the stage that he has been bought for and all the signs suggest that he is more than ready for it.
In both matches against Astana he excelled in a number of different roles with his goal in Kazakhstan calming many nerves.
His experience with Genoa and the French u21 side will have him well prepared but these Champions League opponents are another level entirely.
PATRICK ROBERTS
The stage is set for a dramatic return- after waiting all summer most Celtic fans will get their first look at Roberts when he lines up across from the £200m rated Neymar.
Roberts showed that he has the temperament for the big occasion, in the Champions League ties away to Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City he showed that he has the game to open up defences.
Rodgers knows that these type of players are rarely available to Celtic, having plotted all summer for his arrival he’ll have plenty of ideas what he wants to do with the on loan Manchester City winger.
TOM ROGIC
Has that extra attacking flair and ability to find the net that might just edge him ahead of Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor for this key position.
Rodgers has worked carefully with the Australian to find the position that best suits his range of skills with goalscoring the key.
Hovering around in front of the midfielders and behind the striker can open up all sorts of options with Rogic’s close control and accurate shooting capable of causing difficulties for any opponents.
SCOTTY SINCLAIR
Put down a decent marker in the Champions League last season and will be keen to get among the goals this time around.
On his game, which is often, he is unplayable with opponents unable to prevent him from cutting in from the left flank and firing in his trademark right foot shot for the postage stamp corner.
After a season playing alongside his team-mates they understand his game perfectly, knowing how to get the maximum benefit from a goalscorer who is neither a midfielder or a winger.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
When it comes down to a straight choice with Leigh Griffiths Brendan Rodgers will almost always side with the former Fulham man.
Although it’s not far off six months since he was on top of his game the Celtic boss knows that Dembele has the combination of skills that puts fear into any defence.
Dembele knows that it’s in the Champions League that he is judged- after last season the mystery has gone replaced by expectation and respect from opponents.
THE BENCH
What a selection to choose from especially in midfield.
If it’s not quite happening Stuart Armstrong or Callum McGregor can be thrown on, Nir Bitton can go into either of the holding midfield positions while James Forrest can play in any of the front four positions.
Anthony Ralston and Dedryck Boyata allow the defence to be rearranged, up front Leigh Griffiths is itching to get a chance to come on and prove his worth.