Jozo Simunovic’s red card against Alashkert will cause Celtic more problems against Rosenborg than it did against the Armenia champions.
Jack Hendry is literally the last central defender standing, at right-back Anthony Ralston hasn’t played for Celtic since last September forcing Brendan Rodgers into a change of shape for Wednesday’s match.
A three man defence seems essential with enough flexibility to adapt during the course of the 90 minutes, although hopefully that will involve 11 players.
Although not planned playing with ten men for so long against Alashkert provided a greater physical test than expected with the remaining players having to do that bit more.
The mood of Rosenborg is hard to gauge but an aggressive start from Celtic will soon test their resolve after a nightmare week that required a highly debatable penalty to get past Valur followed quickly by the sacking of their coach Kare Ingebrigtsen.
The Rosenborg players are bound to be vulnerable, if Celtic can repeat the form shown in stages against Alashkert they can send the Norwegian champions home with even more problems- as we start to look towards AEK Athens.
CRAIG GORDON
Put in a good competent display at home to Alashkert where he was involved more than he would have wished.
He was pitched into these fixtures four years ago and knows exactly what is at stake, they are the matches that define your season as Ronny Deila would confirm.
Last season he kept five clean sheets until it started to fall in away to Astana, two more over the next ten days will do the trick, again.
JACK HENDRY
This is the tie that the former Dundee defender has been waiting for.
He has barely had a look in at playing in central defence but only has to look at Kris Ajer to find out the rewards of taking your chance.
Being on the right of a back three should suit his game, attack wise he just needs to feed the ball to James Forrest, inside him Ajer can break forward.
KRIS AJER
This will be something fairly familiar to our emerging defender, a year ago he was a rookie but now he is the first pick central defender.
As a full internationalist he’ll be watched closely in this match but the greater the scrutiny the better he performs.
Ajer missed out on the group stage last season, he’ll be desperate to taste that level of competition and confirm to the fans that not everything is falling apart in the centre of defence.
KIERAN TIERNEY
A European veteran at the age of 21, this will be his 29th tie in UEFA competition.
His ability to get forward will be curtailed slightly by the switch to a back three but he’ll still have licence to crack on but just a little more selectively.
There’s no doubt that he has the measure of domestic opposition, proving himself in Europe is the avenue to improving his game even further.
JAMES FORREST
Has now played in more European matches than ALL of the Lisbon Lions. Read that again.
When you think back he has seen a lot of action, scoring in the last group stage home win against Ajax, the vital winner at home to Shakhtar Karagandy and last season’s winner away to Rosenborg.
While not quite a wing-back he’ll be expected to track back against Rosenborg, coming from deep his bursts forward may be even more effective.
OLIVIER NTCHAM
Arrived a year ago and quickly got upto speed, was outstanding in the 5-0 win at home to Astana.
Over the course of the season he developed into the perfect foil for Scott Brown with his steely defensive work perfectly suited for the tougher demands of European football.
Nothing showy is required from Oli, others can get on with that but when Celtic are pressing he is an important insurance policy for the back three.
CALLUM MCGREGOR
Another from the Academy who is perfectly at home in European ties- and usually on the score-sheet.
His versatility is absolutely priceless, playing off the front two in a ‘Rogic role’ should offer up plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
Depending on how the match develops his role could alter, he has evolved into the perfect midfielder under Rodgers who has complete trust in the 25-year-old.
SCOTT BROWN
The skipper has excelled in the last two European campaigns, Rosenborg will know that he is the man that makes Celtic tick.
He’ll happily drop back into defence to collect the ball, his influence is obvious from the moment that the huddle is called together.
With international football now consigned to the record books his club performances will only improve, he thrives on responsibility.
SCOTT SINCLAIR
To date 2018 has been a bit of a disaster for the former Aston Villa man but the word from the manager is that he has rediscovered the devastating form of his first season.
Having two wide threats would be a real bonus against Rosenborg who won’t want their defence stretched and exposed.
He knows that his manager isn’t afraid to drop the biggest earners in the squad, he’s not in Glasgow for the weather and will want to reclaim his place in the starting XI.
ODSONNE EDOUARD
This is a brand new experience for the young French striker, 2018 has been the breakthrough year in his career with the Champions League his next big target.
On his own or alongside Moussa Dembele he has the game to trouble any defence and the poachers instinct to anticipate where in the penalty box the ball is likely to arrive.
The former Paris Saint Germain kid is capable of making the same impact as Dembele on the Celtic side, the Champions League is the stage that he’ll be judged on.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
There will be a sigh of relief around the ground when Moussa lines up to face the Norwegians.
He was badly missed at this stage last season, fully fit he is capable of tearing it up against any of the teams in the qualification process.
So far this season he has looked close to the sparkling form of his first season, with experience added he will be the man Rosenborg will be out to stop.