Sybaris Ali 
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Celtic are just 180 minutes away from guaranteeing European group stage football if they overcome Norwegian champions Rosenborg in the third round of Champions League qualification.
The Hoops eased to a comfortable 6-0 aggregate win over Linfield. The Norwegian side, who defeated Irish champions, Dundalk, in the second round of qualifying after extra-time, will provide a more tougher test for Brendan Rodgers side. So lets take a look at Rosenborg in a bit more detail.
Overview
Founded in 1917 and celebrating their 100th anniversary this season, the Norwegian champions are one of the most successful teams in the Eliteserien (Norwegian league) winning 24 league titles and 11 Norwegian cups. Based in Trondheim, Rosenborg play at the Lerkendal Stadion which holds around 21,000 making it the 2nd biggest football stadium in Norway. Currently they are top of the league with a five point lead over Sarpsborg 08, having played 17 games so far this season.
European Pedigree
Rosenborg have plenty of European experience but are not at the same level as they were a decade ago. Their best ever European run was in the 1996/97 campaign where they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League only to be knocked-out by the finalists that year, Juventus.
In recent seasons though, Rosenborg have struggled in European competition. Last season, the Norwegian champions were knocked out at the third round of Champions League qualification by Apoel 4-2 (on aggregate) and dropped into the Europa League play-off where they were beaten by Austria Wien by the same aggregate scoreline.
Most notably to fans of Scottish football, St Johnstone, knocked-out Rosenborg in 2013/14 season in second round of Europa League qualification. For Hoops fans though, the most recent home meeting between the two in competitive competition came in the 2001/02 Champions League campaign, where Martin O’Neill’s side won 1-0 at Celtic Park courtesy of Alan Thompson’s free-kick. However, Rosenborg did beat the Hoops in their home group game, where ex-Celt, Harald Brattbakk, netted twice to end the Bhoys dream of progress in latter rounds of the Champions League. The only previous meeting between the two sides was in first round of the European Cup in 1973 as Celtic won 5-2 on aggregate.
Danger Men
The most recognisable player for Celtic fans is former Arsenal striker, Nicklas Bendtner. Bendtner, who had spells with Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest, joined the Norwegian champions in March. The Danish forward though has only scored six goals in his 17 appearances and has yet to hit the ground running.
Milan Jetovic could prove to be a tricky opponent on wing. The forward who is part of a three man strike force for Rosenborg has scored an impressive season goals in 15 appearances. As well as Jetovic, Matthías Vilhjalmsson, who scored the winning goal against Dundalk in the last round, could be thrown on in the final few minutes of each leg given his physicality and strength in the air.
Pal Andre Helland, who missed out in the second leg on the Dundalk match due to injury, could feature if he is available in time for the tie. In 2015, Helland was a reported target for Ronny Deila’s side but the move did not materialise for the former Celtic boss.
Rosenborg Line up vs Dundalk 2nd leg (4-3-3): Hansen (GK), Meling (LB), Skjelvik (CB), Reginiussen (CB), Hedenstad (RB); Midtsjø (CM), Kondradsen (CM), Jensen (CM); De Lanlay (LW), Bendtner (ST) Jetovic (RW)
Where the tie could be won and lost
Celtic go into this tie having not lost a competitive game of football since their 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in November. The Hoops though have found the third qualifying round a tough ordeal in recent season having scraped through Qarabag and Astana in the previous two seasons.
The biggest advantage for Rodgers’ side this time around is travel time. Without having to make long distance journeys to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, preparation for the fixture should allow the Scottish champions time feel fresh and ready for the Norwegian champions.
The other massive advantage is that Rodgers has known the side for a year now and knows it’s strengths within the squad. Last season, the Irishman was still searching for his strongest XI and players were still getting use to his new philosophy. The key to this tie though is having a healthy lead to take to Norway. One big aspect of that is simply not conceding. Giving goals unnecessarily away can be a massive issue in Europe. While Hoops fans have no doubt in Rodgers’ XI scoring goals, it’s defensively where the question marks are.
While Jozo Simunovic is the number one centre-back at the club, it is who partners him which is the burning question. With Dedryck Boyata out for there months, there is availability for the likes of Erik Sviatchenko, Kristoffer Ajer and even Kieran Tierney to feature at the heart of the defensive. Miakel Lustig could also be an option. Regardless, the defence will have be more alert than the game against Linfield given Rosenborg’s aerial ability.
The tie though could be won though in the first leg at Celtic Park on Wednesday if the Bhoys were to build-up a healthy lead to take to Trondheim. That possibility though lies with an attacking display at Paradise where the Hoops can pile on the pressure on Rosenborg. Especially within the opening 20 minutes of the game. Celtic Park can be an intimidating environment for any player, particularly when the home side score early.
If the Hoops were to take a lead to Norway, Celtic can take advantage and would counter-attack their opponents in the second-leg. Providing the Hoops take a positive scoreline to Norway, then Rodgers’ side will want to absorb pressure and hit on the break whenever they can and hopefully seal their place in the Champions league play-offs.
