Helsingborgs v Celtic: First leg can kick club closer to Europe's top table

Yet for Henrik Larsson, who took time out from his duties as manager of Landskrona to drop in on his former club's HQ in the Swedish ferry port where he first rose to prominence – there is statue in his honour on the beach side – and former team-mate Neil Lennon, the anticipation that the good times are once again within touching distance is clear to see. That will only be heightened when Celtic face Helsingborgs in the first leg of this play-off tie tonight.

Larsson is much too much of a diplomat to come down in favour of either the home side or the club where he remains so revered. Lennon also has his own reasons for not wishing to suggest that his side are favourites to book their place in the Champions League draw a week on Thursday. The competition logos are again out on display, and with them the nervous tension of being within touching distance of qualification.

"I went into the Helsinki game with more trepidation. This one, I'm more excited. I'm more comfortable with us, albeit I know the significance of the game," said Lennon, playing down any sense of apprehension. "I know how big it is for us, and that we're almost there. But these are tough, tough games. We have players coming back, the likes of Scott Brown, Paddy McCourt and James Forrest. Gary Hooper also trained on Sunday. With those four, and Thomas Rogne fresh from the weekend, I can feel a little bit more comfortable."

For the Celtic manager it is all about approaching the tie carefully, although he knows how big this particular step is, and how painful a slip would be. "We made one step by winning the championship, and the Helsinki performance was a very mature one," he said. "It would be fantastic to reach the group stage. But, I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I'm not saying we're going to do it. We will have to play very well over the two games, but it's do-able. I don't want to build it up too much and then we end up with egg on our face."

Larsson, who will miss tonight's game as his own side are in action, does not want to see that fate befall his old friend, and Celtic's assistant manager, Johan Mjallby. He has looked on from afar at the regeneration of the club that still has a special place in his affections – alongside Helsingborgs – and has enjoyed watching Lennon earn his stripes in the dug out.

"Lenny has done a fantastic job," said Larsson, who still looks fit enough to play. "He and Johan have both done a great job since taking over, and I'm not surprised by that at all. I'm looking forward to seeing them, but I don't think they need my advice."

What little the former striker was prepared to divulge about Helsingborgs, Lennon had already gleaned for himself. "It's a very good team," said Larsson. "They are very sound defensively. They lost a striker [Alfred Finnbogason] and they're probably going to miss him a little bit. You are always going to miss goals, especially as he has been delivering since he first arrived. But they have a few other strikers who are dangerous and who are going to make it difficult for Celtic."

The Swedes include new loan signing Nikola Djurdic, brought in over the weekend from Haugesund. With former Rangers midfielder Alejandro Bedoya also added to their line up since they defeated Slask Wroclaw in the last round, Lennon wants his players to take a little time to assess their opponents tonight, and not offer up any early gifts or encouragement.

He is confident his team will show a very different approach from the tepid performance which almost cost them dear against Ross County on Saturday. "We are going out to win," said Lennon, succinctly. "We want to be a good unit defensively, but we have players, particularly going forward from midfield to front, who can score goals on the counter attack. They showed that in the last round, and we have a good goalkeeper now, who makes big saves away from home."

Lennon has tried to convey to his players how exhilarating it is to play in the Champions League group stage. Yet he also understands that until they sample it for themselves his words will remain inadequate. Most importantly, he does not want to spook them when they are so close to their goal and are being watched by a support who believe they should be good enough to eliminate Helsingborgs.

"It's a great opportunity for us all, but you don't want to put any extra pressure on them," said Lennon. "We use this word 'should' quite a lot. But it's harder putting it into practise. We haven't done it for a few years, and they are young and talented. I want them to take the next step, to enhance themselves. They will become better footballers playing at that level. The experience will benefit them for a long time."