I said in my column last week and I stand by it that this is the most important game for Celtic across any competition during the first half of the season.

There will be those who talk about Rangers, League Cup final etc but I genuinely believe that these games against Anderlecht will define how Celtic do this season in Europe. It’s as simple as that.

They won’t get close to PSG or Bayern, but they do have a chance of finishing third in the group which has to be the goal of any team out with the top five big countries in Europe. You can’t go into a Champions League group stage, beat your chest and say ‘We’re going to qualify’.

A far more attainable goal is the Europa League. These games against Anderlecht are very similar to the ones last season against Borussia Monchengladbach – these are the key games.

Anderlecht are not of the same level that Gladbach were a year ago. That can give Celtic some hope but still getting a win away from home in Europe has been the old problem for Celtic for far too many years.

I firmly believe Anderlecht will go in with the same point of view. Their fans will respect Celtic, their name carries clout, but so does Anderlecht.

There are similarities. The Belgian league lacks money compared to those around it. The Pro League is a good standard but they can’t compete with the Netherlands, certainly the Bundesliga. They are where they are.

They’ve not made a great start to the season. That’s the difference between Anderlecht and Celtic. When a coach gets sacked like Rene Weiler after a sluggish start then you sit up and take notice.

What we have learned over the years is domestic form doesn’t necessarily have an impact on the Champions League. Look at Celtic’s very good start in Scotland that didn’t count for anything when they went up against PSG.

Anderlecht will be much better than anything Celtic face in Scotland, it’s just a statement of fact based on budget and where they Belgians are.

Having said that, avoiding a defeat to Rangers on Saturday will clearly not do Brendan Rodgers or his players any harm. They go into this one in confident mood.

I get the feeling Celtic don’t have the fear factor when they play Rangers now. There will be one or two who maybe are a bit more aware of the history and that slip ups can happen in a city derby.

But getting through the game and with a lot of comfort will help. Brendan will always have had his eye on this game, though. You don’t go into a match against Rangers looking beyond it, but from the Champions League group was decided, he’d have had his plan ready.

A bad defeat for Celtic is unthinkable here. It’s not being disrespectful to say PSG and Bayern Munich will run away with the group. There is a huge chasm and it’s a financial one.

These are the games that really matter. Anderlecht weren’t great at the weekend when they just got a 2-1 win over Waasland-Beveren at the weekend. Against Bayern, it was pretty comfortable for the Germans.

However, it has little relevance. We are looking at two leagues within this Champion League group, and tonight is the first leg of that shootout for third. Making sure that, at worst, the result can be bettered at Celtic Park is of paramount importance.