IT feels less like a perfect storm conspiring against Celtic’s Champions League ambitions this summer, and more a storm of imperfections that are hampering their chances.

A new manager in Ange Postecoglou who has had barely any time to get his ideas across. Players returning late from international duty. No sign of the experienced reinforcements required to inject new life into a squad still reeling from the car crash of last season.

As if that wasn’t enough, most of the players who need to be replaced haven’t even left the building yet. The same ‘wantaway’ players that former manager Neil Lennon blamed for Celtic’s Champions League qualifying exit to Ferencvaros this time last year – the likes of Kristoffer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham – are here in Wales at their pre-season training camp.

The question is, are they are hanging around like a bad smell and affecting the mood within the dressing room, or has Postecoglou’s arrival breathed enough fresh air into the camp to revive their senses?

When the question is put to Greg Taylor, his answer is unequivocal, with the left-back convinced every member of the Celtic squad who is asked to contribute against Midtjylland next Tuesday night will be giving everything for the cause.

“If you watch training you will see that every boy is as competitive as ever,” Taylor said.

“That won’t change with anyone, whether they have further aspirations with what they want to do in their career, whether that is here or somewhere else.

“While they pull on this jersey, training or playing, their full focus will be here. I’m sure of it.”

Where he is less unambiguous is in his assessment of Celtic’s chances of actually making it through this tie, let alone the group stages proper. There is a recognition inside the Celtic camp that in the Danish side, they have drawn a serious opponent, at a time when they themselves are undercooked.

That’s not to say the Celtic players don’t believe they can overcome Erik Sviatchenko et al, but Taylor recognises that their experienced players like Callum McGregor may have to go the well in order to drag them through.

“Of course we want to qualify, but it is a transitional period,” he said.

“There’s a new manager come in, there will be new players coming in, so of course it is.

“But our focus can’t be on that. Our focus has to be on the team and ourselves come Tuesday night.

“It’s come around quickly this year especially as we’re not long back. There’s no time to rest, we need to be ready for Tuesday. It’s a massive game – and a massive opportunity.

“We are up against a top side. It doesn’t matter what round it is these days, you are up against good sides at every level.

“These teams handle the ball so well and are clinical, so we need to be on it in both legs.

“We’d had a good week’s preparation so we’ll make sure we will be ready.

“We’ve got good players here, boys who have won a lot of trophies and have been very successful are still here.

“So, we’ve got to have full belief going into Tuesday night, and we will know then.”

A video released by Celtic of new gaffer Postecoglou in the thick of the action as he directed his players on the training pitch went down well with supporters shortly after the Australian’s arrival, but he has cut something of a calmer figure during the camp in Wales.

“The gaffer is quite quiet,” said Taylor. “He’s loud and clear when he’s training, but away from it he is quite reserved, and I think that’s his way of managing.”

Even so, Taylor says that the players have been left in no doubt about what is expected of them, and he is hoping to see more evidence of the fruits of their labour in the final tune-up of the camp against Bristol City this evening.

“The sessions are probably slightly shorter but more intense,” he said. “It’s constant work without many breaks, but that’s the focus on the high intensity we want.

“It’s been good far, he wants us to play at all times, which is the Celtic way. When we lose the ball it’s about winning it back straight away and that’s been the two main things we’ve focused on.

"The preparations have gone well, we’ve had a good week down in Wales. We’re learning new things under the gaffer and hopefully we’ll be ready for Tuesday.

“Pre-season is always challenging, getting minutes in the legs and bedding in new ideas, but the boys are enjoying it.

“Bristol City are a good Championship side so it will be a tough test and we’ll need to be at it.

“The full focus will be on Tuesday night.”