Celtic v Club Brugge: Hope and heartache at core of Belgian club’s story

Star midfielder Hans Vanaken converted the spot-kick. He is a man that is as revered in West Flanders as Dalglish is in east Glasgow.

Only compatriots Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne are higher-scoring Belgians in the Champions League, having taken his tally into double figures against Villa to draw level with Eden Hazard.

Vanaken, who was with Belgium at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, remains an important part of Nicky Hayen’s side. He is their captain and will likely smash the 500-appearance mark this season if he stays fit.

Hayen himself replaced former Celtic manager Ronny Deila at the club having previously been in charge of the much-vaunted youth team, Club NXT, where he worked with Celtic midfielder Arne Engels.

The 44-year-old is their fifth manager since Rangers boss Phillipe Clement’s successful time in charge, where he led them to back-to-back titles.

He will, however, be without several key players for a match they may be viewing as a must-win.

Sweden international striker Gustaf Neilsen, young Dutch talent Bjorn Meijer, Norway midfielder Hugo Vetlesen and Belgium prospect Hugo Siquet are all on the sidelines along with former Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata, who is now in the twilight of his playing career.

There will be important roles for Kasper Schmeichel’s Danish colleague Andreas Skov Olsen and Greece international Christos Tzolis on the wings, the latter scoring four of Brugge’s seven against Sint-Truiden at the weekend.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet needs no introduction to Brendan Rodgers after they worked together at Liverpool, while full-backs Maxim De Cuyper and Joaquin Seys, along with the likes of Engels and Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere, are hoping to become Belgium’s new golden generation.

Celtic are a point ahead of the Belgians going into matchday five and both sides know a victory would all but seal their passage to, at least, the knockout play-off round and a step closer Dalglish’s zenith.