ONE of the three Europa League trophies which Uefa own has been in Glasgow this week in an attempt to generate more interest in Europe's second competition.

In local terms, if Celtic can't attract over 40,000 tonight for a tie against Salzburg, in which victory would assure Ronny Deila's side a place in the last 32 for the first time, it will be proof positive Hoops fans simply don't find the Europa League worth the shilling - or £22, as it is in this case.

The fact is, they have become accustomed to a diet of Champions League football, with all the razzmatazz that comes against the soundtrack of Zadok The Priest.

However, given how bleak the prospect of any level of European success appeared to be as Deila and his team made their first faltering steps on the Continental stage, Scott Brown and Co deserve to be applauded for the fist they have made of qualifying from this group.

If they can get over the line this evening - and Dinamo Zagreb dropping anything in their match against Astra in Giurgiu would get them there, no matter what happens at Parkhead - it would seal a remarkable recovery for a team which looked to be out of their depth in the play-offs and qualifiers for the Champions League.

Following the sobering experiences at the hands of Legia Warsaw then Maribor, the Hoops have gone on an unbeaten run of two wins and two draws in the Europa League.

Deep down, they will agree with those who insist they should already be in next month's draw for the knock-out rounds, when the third-placed sides from the Champions League groups drop down to add extra spice to competition.

Celtic failed to hold onto the three points they had in their grip as the minutes ticked down in their game against Astra on match day four.

So, they still have work to do, with top spot in the group also still up for grabs.

They can overtake Salzburg for the first time if they defeat them tonight.

But, the priority is to get the result they need to ensure the trip to Zagreb on December 11 is not a shootout to decide whether it is the Hoops or Dinamo who join Red Bull in the last 32.

All the while, the important matter of collecting co-efficient points is bubbling away in the background.

Progress to the last 32 will bring bonus points, plus the opportunity to continue their climb up the rankings in the spring - Celtic have risen around 20 places in the last three years.

For the players, however, the experience being gathered along the way is every bit as valuable.

So, while it might not be the most glamorous of competitions, the Europa League can provide a solid base from which to launch a concerted effort to get into the big boys' playground next season, as Anthony Stokes - now one of the club's most seasoned campaigners - asserts.

The striker, who is in his fifth European campaign with the Hoops, said: "I think this competition can give you that experience you need.

"It is good for the boys who have not played many games in Europe.

"Under Neil Lennon, you could see how we benefited from our Europa League campaign in his second season as manager when we played in the Champions League the following year, qualifying for the last 16.

"Hopefully, it will be the same scenario this time around.

"It will give the gaffer the time to bed in the players, and get us all to play the way he wants us to play.

"Then, hopefully, we can have another crack at playing in the Champions League as a group with a European season under our belts."

That's the future. For now, Celtic harbour genuine ambitions to go a very long way in the Europa League.

Perhaps getting back to Warsaw, where the final will be played in May, might be a tough ask, especially as many big hitters will be dropping down from the Champions League when their sections are completed next month.

But the knock-out rounds are tantalisingly close, and booking a place in the last 32 with a game remaining would exceed all expectations held when the draw was made in late August.

Wisely, Stokes is not about to allow complacency to trip him up with the finishing line so close.

He said: "All we will be doing is keeping our focus, working hard and hoping to come away with the result we want, which is another win."

After the painful stumbles in Europe at the start of the season, Stokes' caution is understandable.

So, any suggestion already-qualified Salzburg might take their eye off the ball tonight is quickly dismissed.

"Any team you meet in European competition, whether it be Champions League or Europa League, they are going to be players of a good standard," said Stokes who, like the rest of us, has been particularly impressed by Salzburg's goal machine, Jonatan Soriano.

"But we will be going out with the mentality we always have, that we can win the game."

Should Celtic get over the qualification line tonight, it would have the added bonus of significantly reducing the pressure on the squad when they head to Croatia next month.

More immediately, it would provide a huge fillip ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts at Tynecastle.

"Every game we go into, we try to win and play our football the right way," insisted Stokes.

"The gaffer has come in and changed a lot of things. But I think you can see a lot is clicking at the minute.

"We are on a decent run of results, so we're doing something right."