Celtic face Norwegian side Molde on Thursday knowing that a defeat could leave the Hoops on the brink of exiting the Europa League.

However, Molde are looking to do the double over the Scottish champions as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men try to secure a place in the last 32.

Celtic

© Getty Images

Teenage defender Kieran Tierney is in no doubt as to the significance of Thursday's clash at Celtic Park, saying that the game with Molde is a chance "to get back at them" after a defeat in Norway a fortnight ago, which was "a hard one to take".

The Hoops, who had drawn the previous two group games, 2-2 away to Ajax before throwing away a two-goal lead against Fenerbahce, were beaten 3-1 at the Aker Stadion and find themselves bottom of the table as a result.

Celtic's defeat was their second consecutive loss against Norwegian opposition, but they have won their last two home games with sides from across the North Sea.

The Glasgow giants are also unbeaten in five European games at Celtic Park and the spectre of that night against Barcelona, almost three years ago to the day, serves as a warning to travelling teams that they cannot turn up and merely expect to win.

Since the defeat to Molde the Bhoys have at least found form at home, including a 3-1 triumph over Aberdeen. The win extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to seven points, having trailed the Dons by five earlier in the season.

Celtic have also been boosted by the news that Israeli midfielder Nir Bitton has agreed a new contract, which keeps him at Parkhead until 2020.

Recent form: DDL
Recent form (all competitions): WWLWWW

Molde

© Getty Images

FK's task looks simple on paper. If they beat Celtic, and Ajax fail to beat Fenerbahce, then the three-time Norwegian champions will have qualified from a group that observers might have expected them to finish bottom of.

However, Molde were in no mood to play the part of the whipping boys and stunned Fenerbahce on matchday one with a 3-1 win at the Sukru Saracglu Stadium before drawing with Ajax in their next European outing.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was then appointed as the club's new manager and won his first game in charge, at the expense of Celtic.

If they are to win at Parkhead, much could depend on the performance of midfielder Daniel Berg Hestad, who is also the oldest player to feature in the group stages at 40.

Berg Hestad, who has revealed that he will retire once Molde's Europa League campaign has come to an end, has suggested that the motivation of playing a fixture like this will give him "an extra boost".

Recent form: WDW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWW

Team News

© Getty Images

Emilio Izaguirre and Stuart Armstrong could be chosen for Thursday's game, with both having dropped to the bench for the visit of Aberdeen last Saturday.

However, manager Ronny Deila is unlikely to drop Leigh Griffiths, who netted twice against the Dons and has scored 11 of the Hoops' 34 goals in the Premiership this term.

Berg Hestad is set to return to the starting lineup for the Group A pacesetters, after he was named as a substitute in the club's 4-1 win over Viking last weekend.

Meanwhile, Per Flo, Eirik Hestad and Sander Svendsen are all in contention for a place having lost their spots in the first XI for the previous game with the Bhoys.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic, Izaguirre, Johansen, Bitton, Commons, Rogic, Forrest, Griffiths

Molde possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Linnes, Toivio, Forren, Rindaroy; Hussain, Singh, D Hestad; Elyounoussi, Kamara, Mostrom

Head To Head

This is only Celtic's second meeting with Molde, following the 3-1 defeat in Norway last month.

As mentioned, the Hoops have not lost to Norwegian opposition at Parkhead in two previous encounters.

Molde are also going in search of a first win on Scottish soil, having lost their only game against Rangers, back in September 2006.

We say: Celtic 2-1 Molde

While the Hoops have picked up only two points from their first three games, their recent record at home in Europe is one that they will hope to extend against the unlikely group leaders. With Celtic's qualification hopes hanging in the balance, a raucous Parkhead crowd should spur them to a much-need victory.

Previews by email