Celtic are more than likely heading to Trondheim to play a weakened Rosenborg side, according to their manager.
The Norwegian champions, like Celtic, have a domestic cup final at the weekend.
Unlike Celtic, Rosenborg are already eliminated from the Europa League. This means it is probable that they will prioritise their weekend match v Stromsgodset.
As reported by the Daily Record, boss Rini Coolen said: “It is possible that some players may be rested for the Celtic game.
“We have to seriously consider the cup final, which is just after we play Celtic.”
With that in mind, it would be easy for Celtic fans to get complacent ahead of the game.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
However, let’s remember for a second Celtic’s disastrous away record in Europe.
Celtic have not won a single away game in the Europa League group stage. However, in their 14 attempts, they have drawn eight games, compared to only six defeats.
They’ve lost both away games so far this season, and they can’t dare lose another if they want to qualify for the next stage.
Thursday is massive for Celtic, there is no other way to describe it.
Forget the notion of a Red Bull carve up, if Celtic can win both their remaining group games, they will be very unlucky not to qualify from the group.
Complacency has cost Celtic dearly in Europe before; it cannot creep in again this Thursday.
Betfred Belief
The Betfred cup final against Aberdeen on Sunday should feel like a million miles away for the players.
In the last two seasons, Celtic have overcome bad European defeats to win the Betfred Cup in the following game. Last year, PSG hit seven past Celtic before the Hoops dusted themselves down to defeat Motherwell at Hampden.
This year would feel differently though, Celtic are expected to beat Rosenborg on Thursday.
There can be no excuses for Celtic, they must turn up focused on the job at hand. If Celtic fail to win on Thursday, they will be almost certainly out of the Europa League.
With that European hangover lingering, they may not be able to pick themselves up on Sunday.