AJAX can have the ball.

Celtic will be happy to trade it for the points. That was how the match between when the sides played out in Glasgow a fortnight ago, and a repeat would suit Neil Lennon and his players perfectly in Amsterdam tonight.

The penalty won intelligently by Anthony Stokes and converted expertly by James Forrest, plus the deflected shot drilled in by Biram Kayal had the Dutch shuffling in their clogs all the way back to the Netherlands. The late strike by Lasse Schone could yet be a factor, but it could not prevent Celtic heading into tonight's rematch back in contention for second place in Group H.

However, that two-point advantage over the Eredivisie champions will be wiped out at a stroke if Celtic crash tonight. It is very much the final throw of the dice for Frank de Boer's side, who have taken just a single point from the opening three group games.

They were thumped 4-0 in Barcelona, and conceded a controversial late penalty to allow a win to be converted into a draw when AC Milan came to Amsterdam.

That marked the first signs of the woe-is-me syndrome which has afflicted everything de Boer and his players have had to say about the subsequent defeat in Glasgow.

Clearly, Ajax are not living up to expectations, either their own or their fans' - and they want someone to blame rather than look within. That makes them both vulnerable and dangerous tonight.

Fortunately for Celtic, they have now had a close look at what makes Ajax tick. The Dutch club is struggling for form, both domestically and in the Champions League. But, one good result could turn this around. Celtic are both wary of this, and determined not to let it happen this evening.

Neil Lennon is respectful of a side that has won the Eredivisie three years in a row, but flaws have been identified and the Celtic manager will hammer home the need for focus and discipline. He remains irked that his side have had to see out their last two Champions League games with 10 men.

It is no coincidence that it was only after they went a man down in those games against Barca and Ajax that their defence was breached. Thus, Lennon is looking for cool heads and big performances, especially as Scott Brown is still serving his three-match ban for his ill-judged kick at Neymar during the game against Barcelona.

Asked if he believes he has the players to deliver the levels of leadership and commitment shown by the absent captain, Lennon replied emphatically: "Yes, we have people like Charlie Mulgrew, Goergios Samaras, Mikael Lustig, Joe Ledley, even Kris Commons They are good leaders, very consistent players and add a great spirit to the squad. Although we will miss Scott, I am hoping these guys step up to the mark."

"We left Biram [Kayal] out of Saturday's game against Dundee United for obvious reasons, and he will be champing at the bit to play against Ajax. Kris didn't play against Ajax in Glasgow, so he will be itching to be involved in this one, too. Hopefully, we will be stronger going into the game."

Key to Celtic's win a fortnight ago was the way in which they pressed Ajax and Stokes is keeping his fingers crossed that he is asked to continue his partnership with Teemu Pukki, the pair having exerted plenty of pressure on the Ajax defence at Parkhead.

"They use their keeper like an extra player, and the ball goes through him an awful lot," said Stokes. "But, for large spells of the game, they don't damage you. If you are keeping them in certain areas of the pitch, it can be quite comfortable."

No-one is suggesting the task ahead is easy given that in Siem de Jong, Thulani Serero, Viktor Fischer and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson Ajax boast dangerous attacking options but Stokes acknowledges there is a weakness. "Ajax are a great side with some great individual players," he said. "But, they try and overplay at times. That's something we have looked at."

The main role of the men in Celtic's front line has been to work the defence and make room for a run from deep. It has taken a while for Stokes to be trusted, but Lennon says he is now getting what he wants from the Irishman, who signed a new three-year contract last week.

"He's played very well in big games for us and has shown he can play at a European level and be disciplined into the bargain," said Lennon. "It's very pleasing that the camaraderie between everyone is strong, and I think that's why we are getting really positive results."

If they can pull off another tonight, it could be a defining moment in the season.