“Expect another big night for Celtic in Europe”

With nine wins from nine in all competitions this season, Celtic face their toughest test yet as they do everything they can to secure the perfect ten.

Standing in their way is a team who were in the Champions League final just 17 weeks ago and there is no doubt about the magnitude of the challenge the Bhoys will face at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund are undoubtedly one of Europe's greatest players, but could we be facing them at just the right time?

Less than two weeks ago, Nuri Sahin's side were on the wrong side of a 5-1 thrashing of Stuttgart as the young coach struggled to find his feet in his first few months at the helm.

At just 36 years old, Sahin is a Dortmund legend as a player, but it remains to be seen whether he can repeat this success on the sidelines.

In one of those bizarre twists that we often see in football, the former Turkey international also worked under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool in the 2012/13 season and while reports from that time suggested an acrimonious split, both managers were nothing but that respectfully in their comments before the game.

Now is the time for Rodgers to put all his experience to the test and gain a foothold in Europe.

His domestic record at Celtic is phenomenal, but the big gap on his CV is European success and with the squad of players he now has, this could be the big opportunity he has been waiting for.

The signing of record signing Arne Engels could be crucial tonight, as will German winger Nicholas Kuhn, who is keen to show what he can do on home soil.

Add a revitalized Callum McGregor, an in-form Kyogo and the ever-hardworking Daizen Maeda and Celtic may have a chance of improving the odds here.

Whether they do or not, the very fact that Rodgers makes us think in such terms tells us a lot about how far we have come in his second spell in charge of the club.

“Relaxed but focused” is how he described his state of mind before this game, and while most of us will be anything but relaxed by kick-off, we will be fully focused on what this high-octane Celtic team brings to the big game stage tonight.

Expect goals, expect drama and expect another big night for Celtic in Europe.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange.