LET’S say for the sake of argument, and this is Scottish football so arguing is what we do best, that this season turns out to be Brendan Rodgers’s last at Celtic.

And to further the debate (heated, obviously), that Celtic don’t get through against AEK Athens but do get past either Sudova of Lithuania or Latvia’s Spartaks Jurmala in the next round to reach the Europa League group stage – where they would be seeded.

Then, Rodgers’s side qualify for the knock-out round and with a decent draw reach the quarter-final.

To put that scenario into context, the last time the club found themselves in the final eight of a European competition was in 2004 when Henrik Larsson, Neil Lennon, John Hartson, Jackie McNamara and Chris Sutton were in their pomp.

Or to put it another way, when Kieran Tierney was seven-years-old.

If this was to be the manager’s European record, it’s a pretty good one. Twice in the Champions League group stage, with £60m banked, finishing third one year when in pot four which meant they stayed in Europe after Christmas, the fans enjoyed some good performances, including a rare away win, mixed in with a few shockers, albeit against PSG and Barcelona.

If Celtic could go on a decent Europa League run this season, and they would have every chance, then in all honesty there wouldn’t be much else Rodgers could do.

UEFA don’t want a Scottish club in the Champions League proper, that much is certain, and the richest clubs are making money in a way which would make Microsoft jealous of their capitalist ways.

In summary, this would be an excellent three years’ work for Rodgers if this is – and who knows what is going to happen – his final season in Glasgow.

So, why the furious outrage from some, not all, after last night’s 1-1 draw with AEK Athens, an underwhelming result rather than some massive disappointment.

Take it from a man who has watched this club in Europe for a long time, Celtic fans once dreamed of a time when a home draw against the champions of Greece was viewed as a bad night.

Even if more players had been signed, and the fact that hasn’t happened is a mistake, a club with Celtic’s resources is always going to be up against it to qualify through four rounds. It’s just the way it is.

The fear among Celtic supporters is that Rodgers is not at their club to play in Europe’s second competition, and signing players from a certain level when there is no Champions League football, especially in the market Celtic shop in, is not a simple task.

Scottish football can be a hard sell but Scottish football plus the chance to show off against Real Madrid et al is a far more attractive option for, say, Olivier Ntcham.

The Parkhead club remain in great shape but, and this is why some criticism is valid, they are not where they should be.

Jozo Simunovic has run out of last chances, Jack Hendry has miles to go while Kristoffer Ajer is a nice footballer but Bobo Balde he is not. That team have been crying out for one more big, bad centre-half with a bit of experience for over a year now.

And Rodgers is clearly unhappy with how this summer has gone so far.

However, Celtic have a chance in this tie and will believe they can do it. They played some good stuff last night, scored a fine goal and probably should have won the game. This is not beyond them.

There does seem to be a section of the Celtic support spoiled by the last two years, totally forgetting where they stand in European football, which is still pretty far down to the food chain.