‘Expect another big night for Celtic in Europe’

With nine wins from nine in all competitions this season, Celtic are set for their toughest test yet as they go all out to secure the perfect ten.

Standing in their way are a side that just 17 weeks ago were lining up in the final of the Champions League and there can be no doubt about the size of the challenge that the Bhoys will face in the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund are undoubtedly one of Europe’s big hitters but could we be coming up against them at just the right time?

Less than two weeks ago Nuri Sahin’s side were on the wrong end of 5-1 hammering from Stuttgart with the young coach struggling to find his feet in his first few months at the helm.

Just 36-years-old, Sahin is a Dortmund legend as a player but it remains very much to be seen if he’ll be able to replicate that success on the touchline.

In one of those quirky twists that we often see in football, the former Turkey international also had a spell under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool in the 2012-13 season, and while reports from the time suggest an acrimonious split, both coaches have been nothing but respectful in their pre-match comments.

For Rodgers, this is now the time to show all his experience and to step up in Europe.

His domestic record at Celtic is phenomenal but the big gap on his CV is European success, and with the squad of players he now has at his disposal this could be the big opportunity he’s been waiting for.

The addition of record signing Arne Engels could be crucial this evening, as could German winger Nicholas Kuhn who’ll be eager to show what he can do on home soil.

Add a revitalised Callum McGregor, an in-form Kyogo and the ever-industrious Daizen Maeda to the mix and Celtic may just have a chance to upset the odds here.

Regardless if they do so or not, the very fact that Rodgers has us thinking in such terms tells us a lot about how far we’ve come during his second spell in charge at the club.

“Relaxed but focused” was how he described his state of mind before this one, and while most of us will be anything but relaxed by kick-off, we’ll be fully focused on what this all-action Celtic side bring to the big stage tonight.

Expect goals, expect drama, and expect another big night for Celtic in Europe.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange.