Confident Celtic can keep Champions League hopes alive

Champions League third qualifying round second leg
Premier Sports, 7.45pm Wednesday

Celtic's tie with Rosenborg is finely balanced after a 0-0 draw in Glasgow last Wednesday but the Scots look the likelier winners of the crucial return leg at the Lerkandal Stadium.

A lack of available strikers was a major handicap for Celtic in the first leg with Leigh Griffiths completing a two-game ban and Moussa Dembele injured.

And Brendan Rodgers' selection could be just as tricky in Trondheim unless Griffiths can overcame a nagging calf strain.

If Griffiths fails to make it, Rodgers must mull over which of his wingers and attacking midfielders is best suited to playing further forward.

Tomas Rogic did the job in the first leg without much success and there may be as temptation to hand the role to James Forrest, who played through the middle in Celtic's 5-0 friendly success at Sunderland on Saturday.

Callum McGregor bagged a hat-trick and Jonny Hayes and Stuart Armstrong were on the scoresheet against the shambolic Wearsiders but Rodgers might not want to read too much into that result, which probably said more about Sunderland's shortcomings than Celtic's excellence.

However, it was a handy confidence booster for Celtic as they continue their quest to reach the Champions League group stage for a second successive season.

Rosenborg have come unstuck on their last three Champions League qualifying campaigns but they grew into the game at Celtic Park and created the better chances.

However, the Norwegian side's finishing was not up to scratch - Niklas Bendtner and Yann-Erik De Lanlay fluffed excellent chances - and they may live to regret not scoring an away goal.

Rosenborg were happy to sit in and counter-attack in Glasgow but will need to play a more adventurous game at home and it may not suit them.

They are also likely to be more vulnerable at the back without injured centre-back Tore Reginiussen.

The 31-year-old Norway international was withdrawn after 64 minutes of the first leg and his absence gave encouragement to Celtic, who finished the game in the ascendancy.

Celtic can play more to their strengths in Norway, keeping the ball and waiting for the right moment to strike.

A fully-fit Griffiths would help their chances but, either way, Celtic should have enough to get through.

Recommendation
Celtic draw no bet
1pt 4-5 Betfair

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Rosenborg
Defender Tore Reginiussen has not recovered from a thigh injury picked up in the first leg but winger Pal Andre Helland could be available after a three-week layoff.

Celtic
Leigh Griffiths has completed a suspension but is doubtful with a calf strain. Moussa Dembele (hamstring) is out and Erik Sviatchenko (groin) is a doubt.

Key stat
Celtic have kept clean sheets in five of their last six competitive matches.