I fully suspect that Scott Brown will be back in action for Celtic on Thursday night over in Trondheim.

I said in this column a few weeks ago that as soon as he was fit he would go straight back into the team and I think that will the case.

His leadership qualities and his cast experience are so important to Brendan Rodgers that I just don’t envisage a point just now when he is overlooked when available.

But that leads us to who makes way for him?

Right now James Forrest and Ryan Christie need to stay. They have been so important over the last six weeks or so and both of them are on fire.

Forrest looked a little bit leggy at the weekend which was to be expected but over the piece these two have been sensational for Celtic. They have got to stay in.

I also think that the same applies to Callum McGregor. It isn’t just that he hasn’t let anyone down in that role in the middle where he has deputised for Scott but also because he is such a clever player.

So there is a genuine headache for Rodgers ahead of what is a massive week.

For me, it will probably be Scott Sinclair who makes way but even that I think is a bit harsh on the lad. Over recent weeks I think we have seen a revival in form from him and he will rightly be disappointed if he finds himself on the bench this week.

But, ultimately, this is what you want at any big club. You want to have decisions to make and choices for positions rather than be scratching around trying to see who is fit and who can slot in somewhere.

And I also think that if Celtic come away with at least a point on Thursday night then it still leaves them with a chance – depending on what happens between Leipzig and Salzburg.

Glasgow Times:
John Hartson

But they will go looking for the win and I think they are more than capable of getting it. There is a belief about the team just now and they have a fair bit of momentum at their back.

Rosenborg will hopefully have had a good weekend of it as they enjoyed their fourth successive league title celebrations and I think they also have an eye on the Norwegian Cup final too.

This is a tournament that is gone for them so it is up to Celtic to go out and show how much they want it and the fact that they have done so well over there lately will give them a psychological edge, I think.

Celtic have not won an away game in the Europa League so this is an opportunity for them to go and put that particular one to bed. They have shown in the qualifiers and in the Champions League that they have got it in them so it would be a good time to go and get the three points.

I just think right now when you have players who are on form and who look in the mood like Christie and like Forrest then you get the sense that are going to make something happen.

As a player when you have that confidence sometimes everything that you touch comes off. You believe every shot will end up in the back of the net and having that about you spreads throughout the team.

You play without fear.

And that is what Celtic need this week. It is the start of a huge month for the club with key games domestically and in Europe.

How this month plays out will have a huge bearing on how Celtic’s season is determined but I think you can say that they are going into a key spell in the best form that they have been in all season.

They are ready for it.

And ultimately whatever happens in January – and I have said since the end of August that there will be money spent in January – that the players who are there just now are good enough to deliver.

Yes, we would all like to see just that little bit of quality come in that gives you the real edge in the big games but just these are players who can kick Celtic onto a productive month.

All that matters over these coming games is winning. And when you are doing that then no-one is asking too many questions. It is all just about getting the ball in the back of the net and winning games.