Deila wants Red Bull to give Celtic the wings to qualify

In the opinion of the Celtic manager, there are plenty.

Unlike Sunday's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts at Tynecastle, the Group D game is not a must-win if they are to retain their ambitions in this competition.

Defeat in the capital would leave their dreams of a domestic Treble shattered at the home of the Championship leaders.

Should Salzburg take one or even three points from their visit to Celtic Park, the Hoops' aspiration to join the Austrians in the last 32 of the Europa League would be damaged, but not fatally.

Indeed, it is Dinamo Zagreb who can't afford to make any slip, requiring maximum points from their game against group strugglers, Astra Giurgiu, or they will see any lingering hopes of catching Celtic blown out of the water.

Welcome though it is to have such a lifebelt lying in the background should Celtic founder against Salzburg, Deila would much prefer to get to December's knockout round draw under their own steam.

A victory over Red Bull would give them the wings to fly there - and that is the avowed intention of the Norwegian and his players.

The other scenario is, of course, that they have to go to Croatia on match day six looking to at least draw with Zagreb to retain second place in the group.

But, that would be putting every egg into the one basket, and a risk Deila would much rather avoid.

So, in what will be their 11th European tie this season - that's just less than half the games they have played since Deila took charge - the plan is to home in on the victory which will book their ticket to the last 32.

Deila is aware nerves could play a part. But they will be nothing like as fraught as they will be if they have to go to Zagreb chasing a point.

The message is: Stay calm and remember we have already drawn with Salzburg in Austria.

"It is going to be a tough match," said Deila, before adding: "But we are at Celtic Park and we have a good team.

"We are all going to really look forward to it. It is a good test for us, and I believe it is going to be a very, very good game."

At this stage of the competition, a good game would be a bonus. A good result is the imperative.

The drum is beating loud and hard to get a sizeable attendance.

Their backing could help lift a Celtic side which has not played in front of too many large crowds during this fragmented European campaign which is devoid of the real excitement which only comes from Champions League involvement.

Those who do come along on Thursday will do so hoping to be part of a celebration.

But, if qualification is not secured, it will quickly be brought into play that they remain in the race for a place in the last 32.

"Yes, but we want to do it now," admitted Deila, still scarred by the pain of having had one foot in the door of the knockout round as they led Astra with 10 minutes to go, only for it to be slammed on them as the Romanians emerged from the fog of Giurgiu to score an equaliser and keep Dinamo Zagreb in the hunt.

Deila is philosophical about this second chance to clinch their place, explaining: "If we don't do it on Thursday, then we are not good enough and we will have to aim to take the qualification place to the next game.

"But I think we have a good possibility to do it here.

"We know how good we can be, and I believe people are looking forward to Thursday because qualifying then is their goal."

The fly in the ointment is the fact Salzburg are Group D leaders and have already qualified for a reason.

In Europa League terms, they are a good side, with a potent strike force, and have lived up to their position as favourites in this section.

Deila agrees they are the strongest team they have played in this group, but quickly qualified that by adding: "Salzburg, Zagreb and ourselves are the three best in the group, and it is quite equal."

The points posted so far would suggest otherwise, with Red Bull on 10 from a possible 12 - only Celtic have taken anything from them - the Hoops on eight, and Zagreb stuck on the three they got from their match day one demolition of Astra, who have only the single point they took so much pleasure in grabbing when they held Deila's Bhoys last time out.

Since that disappointment in Giurgiu, Celtic have got back on the winning track, with hard-fought victories in the league over Aberdeen and Dundee.

More importantly, these games have seen the return from injury of James Forrest, and, at the weekend, Kris Commons.

Flying winger Forrest's only European appearance this season was in the 2-0 home defeat to Legia Warsaw at the start of August, a result controversially overturned because the Polish side fielded an ineligible player.

The 23-year-old has a history of making important contributions on big occasions, as has Commons, who, before he succumbed to his upper thigh muscle injury, scored the only goal when the Hoops defeated Zagreb at Parkhead at the start of last month.

With John Guidetti a frustrated spectator for the group games, the availability of two such attack- minded players is a massive boost, and Deila said: "It makes the squad and the team stronger.

"On Saturday, I thought James was very good on the ball.

"When he is alive like that, he is unbelievable."

Forrest played for 60 minutes on his return at Pittodrie, and lasted a little longer against Dundee.

Celtic would be a more potent force if he could last the full 90 minutes, but Deila will not push him, only too aware of his checkered history with injury and relapse.

"That will come," said the manager of Forrest's ability to see out an entire match.

"But the most important thing just now is training and consistency and treatment to make him ready for every game.

"We need to find that consistency for him."