IAN MURRAY has warned Celtic they will be going up against a confident but far-from-cocky Rosenborg when they travel to Trondheim next week.

However, the former Rangers and Scotland defender, who now works in Norway as an assistant coach, has pinpointed the Tippeligaen champions’ expansive frailties as the weak spot that could swing the balance of power back towards Brendan Rodgers’ team in this Champions League third round qualifier.

A sense of nervousness filled an emptying Celtic Park on Wednesday night. The journey and adventure of trips to the Nou Camp and the Etihad still fresh in the mind, Celtic’s buoyancy going into their first leg with Rosenborg only added to the uncertainty as they exited. Even though a clean sheet was gained, somehow, it was the paucity of a limp Celtic attack that caused the most concern for the home support and the bulk of the encouragement for Kåre Ingebrigtsen’s team.

Since moving to Norway at the turn of the year to take up the role of No.2 at Asker, a second division side just side Oslo, Murray has become well placed to analyse the Norwegian mindset going into such a crucial second leg. And while he still has confidence Rodgers’ team should prevail, he has shot down any preconceptions that their opponents will be getting carried away with their hard-earned draw in Glasgow.

“I know it wasn’t a full strength Celtic team but it was a good result for Rosenborg,” said Murray. “I wouldn’t say they have struggled domestically this season but they’ve certainly not run away with it like they would have hoped.

“To then go over to Parkhead and claim a draw was a great result for them. I think they will fancy their chances but they won’t be over confident. They are not the type of people to shout from the rooftops. They will understand it’s a very difficult game against a very good team and a huge club.

“They are not stupid, they still know they are underdogs slightly. They’ll never admit that but people still respect Celtic.

“There is a lot of rivalry over here. I think the whole of Norwegian football will be happy. They still class Scottish football as being ahead of them so for Rosenborg to go over there and get a result will have gone down well. Every tean in Scotland right now would be delighted of a 0-0.

“On the other hand, they will still be cautious. They know this is European football and that often the bigger team doesn’t get the result in the first leg they want but eventually come good. But yeah, they are absolutely delighted of giving themselves the opportunity to go through next week.”

What was perhaps lost in the frustration at Celtic’s own performance was the competent display of the team who shut them out with relative ease. Rosenborg are currently top of the table 17 into their season, and their rigid style, while unpopular, is at least effective in grinding out results as was displayed on Wednesday.

It is a characteristic of their play that has brought some criticism from inside Norwegian football as their performances have not been in keeping with the dominant force many portray them to be in the Tippeligaen. This is where Murray thinks Celtic can take advantage, as a Ingebrigtsen’s conservative approach may need to be ripped up to get the goal they crave for passage into the play-off round.

“From what I’ve seen here and looking at them they play a 4-5-1 without the ball and were very deep in Glasgow,” said the former St Mirren manager. “So now at home they are going to have to come out. It could just about be playing into Celtic’s hands a bit.

“There is no doubt they are the biggest team in Norway and I’m sure they will win the league. But I’d still put Celtic as favourites. I was saying that this morning to the manager [Kevin Nicol] and he agrees. Sometimes when a team like Rosenborg have to come out and play outside of their usual pattern they can get exploited a little bit.

“Rosenborg know if they concede the first goal it’s going to be very difficult to then score two at home. They also know the longer the game goes and Celtic score it’s going to be incredibly difficult. I reckon it’ll be a cagey game. I’d not be surprised if Celtic win it by the odd goal.

“Rosenborg have come in for criticism over here for their performances. They’ve not run away with the league as expected, but they are the best team.

“The first goal is potentially more important for Rosenborg than it is for Celtic. If Celtic score first it won’t quite be impossible for Rosenborg but it would be very, very difficult. If the hosts score, then I still think Celtic would be able to overcome them.”

While the focus for Celtic fans over the next few days will revolve around whether or not Leigh Griffiths will be fit enough to play in Trondheim, Murray says it’s an issue that will not cause too many in the Rosenborg camp sleepless nights.

“I don’t think Rosenborg will be too concerned who is playing up front for Celtic as they know they have good players all over the park. However, they will take huge encouragement from the first game, there is no question of that. Especially keeping a clean sheet and creating chances.

“It’s not a disaster at all for Celtic. I know they had injury problems upfront and at centre half.

“Sometimes it’s actually harder because the team you are playing against is used to playing a certain way that’s hard for you to break down, but in the next leg it’s a completely different ball game.

“I think Celtic will be quietly confident. Rosenborg will perhaps be the same and who is to say they can’t do it? They are at home, the odds against them are certainly not as big as they were a couple of days ago. Rosenborg have been given a real shot in the arm, but they have to come out and play now which isn’t their strongest point.”