CRAIG: WE CAN MAKE ROSE WILT
From Back Page to within 180 minutes of a return to the groups for a second successive season.
The Hoops No.1 said: “We have proved we’ve got the nerve to go there and handle the situation.
“It doesn’t feel like a pressure in the changing room at the moment. We would’ve liked to go there with a lead but at the same time we’ve got the clean sheet.
“If we can get a goal then we’ll have a big advantage. They’ll need to beat us, which hasn’t happened to us for a while. So we’re still confident we can go there and get a result which will see us through.
“Our Champions League experience is a big help for us. It’s going to be a close game and we’re going to have to play well.
“We have to make sure we stick to our gameplan and know what we’re doing because we’re going to get tested.
“But we’ve stood up to every one so far and it’s up to us to go there and stand up to this one and come out on top again.”
Gordon admitted Celtic were below par in the first leg but he’s adamant boss Brendan Rodgers will have the Hoops firing for the return.
The champions were forced to play without a striker in the stalemate with Moussa Dembele crocked until September and Leigh Griffiths suspended and battling to shake off a calf injury. Griff is winning his fight to be fit and is expected to be on the plane to Trondheim tomorrow.
But Gordon is expecting an improved display regardless of the side that’s rolled out to face Rosenborg.
He said: “We’ve probably played like we did on Wednesday night a few times in certain games.
“We didn’t really click or move the ball properly or as quickly as we would’ve liked to.
“But we’ll talk about that before the next one and see where we went wrong. We’ll look for areas to try and be better.
“You have to give a fair amount of credit to Rosenborg. They came and were well organised, closed a lot of the space off and didn’t allow us the time to dictate the play in their half.
“With it being 0-0 it will still be a bit cagey. They’ll be desperate to avoid conceding the away goal.
“We’ll be going there to try and score goals and win the game. If we go there and carry a threat then I’m confident we’ll get a goal this time.”
Gordon is hoping Griffiths declares himself available to lead the line – even though strike fears were eased at the weekend as Celts savaged Sunderland 5-0 at the Stadium of Light without a recognised frontman.
James Forrest excelled as a false No.9 while Callum McGregor surged his way into contention for a starting spot in Trondheim with a hat-trick.
But Gordon said: “Leigh’s always a threat, whether it be set-pieces, delivery or scoring goals from wherever.
“He’s a massive threat and if he’s fit and in the team then we’re going to carry a bigger danger than if he’s not.”