Celtic supporters and pundits alike are weighing up whether Martin O'Neill's squad has the depth required to sustain a serious challenge on multiple fronts this season, with the club on the verge of confirming a place in the Champions League group stage.
The Hoops travel to Austria to face LASK in the second leg of their Champions League play-off round holding a healthy advantage from the first leg. The scale of that lead has sparked debate over the approach O'Neill should take in Austria - whether to push forward from the outset in search of an early away goal that would effectively settle the tie, or to adopt a more measured, cautious style given the cushion already in hand.
Questions over squad depth have intensified following confirmation that right-back Alistair Johnston faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His absence leaves O'Neill needing to find a reliable solution in that position, with Colby Donovan emerging as the most likely option to fill the void. Whether Donovan can be considered a long-term fix at full-back, rather than simply a short-term stopgap, remains an open question being closely scrutinised by observers of the club.
The injury adds to the broader concern about whether Celtic possess sufficient options across the pitch to compete simultaneously in domestic competitions and in Europe's top club tournament. Should the club see off LASK and secure their place among Europe's elite, the volume of fixtures will rise sharply, testing the resources O'Neill has at his disposal.
With the summer transfer window still open, there is pressure on the club's hierarchy to strengthen the squad before it closes. Analysts have pointed to specific areas where reinforcements appear necessary, arguing that failing to add quality and depth now could leave Celtic vulnerable later in the campaign when fixture congestion bites hardest, particularly if they are competing in the Champions League proper.
The discussion around Celtic's readiness formed part of a wider debate broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, featuring contributors including David Currie, Cillian Sheridan and Gordon Wad, who examined the club's prospects for the season ahead. Their conversation touched on tactical questions facing O'Neill for the LASK second leg as well as the personnel issues created by Johnston's injury.
For now, attention centres on the trip to Austria, where a positive result would confirm Celtic's return to Champions League football and provide much-needed European income and prestige. The manner in which O'Neill's side approaches the match - attacking with intent to kill the tie off early, or shielding their advantage with a more conservative gameplan - could offer clues as to how the manager intends to manage his resources across a potentially demanding campaign.
What is clear is that the outcome in Austria, combined with any late transfer business, will shape perceptions of how prepared this Celtic squad truly is for the challenges of continental football. Should they progress, the club will need to quickly settle on solutions at full-back and elsewhere to avoid being caught short as the fixtures pile up.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.