JOSHUA GRANGER

GERMAN FOOTBALL EXPERT AND COMMENTATOR DEREK RAE CREDIT DEREK RAE

Martin O’Neil’s side will be looking to roll back the years on Thursday night in what is set to be a truly historic night.

Celtic will be looking to win their first European knockout tie since they beat Barcelona in 2004. If the Hoops want to end that wait, they will face a difficult task against German side VfB Stuttgart.

Both sides have a previous history with each other, as they faced each other in the 2003 UEFA Cup, where Martin O’Neil, yes current Celtic manager Martin O’Neil, masterminded a 5-4 aggregate win.

I spoke to German football expert Derek Rae. Derek explained to me on my Bhoys in Green podcast the special history between the clubs. The Bundesliga commentator said: “These will be really special, almost monumental matches. As for the few Stuttgart fans who get to go, they will see their team in a historic stadium that they know so well from pictures and atmosphere but haven’t experienced it.”

CREDIT BHOYS IN GREEN YOUTUBE

VfB Stuttgart currently sit 4th in the Bundesliga this season, in the fight for the automatic Champions League spots. Their Europa League campaign has seen them finish 11^th in the league phase.

So who are the main men that Celtic will have to look out for? Deniz Undav is their main player. The German striker has 12 goals this season.  Alongside Undav, Jamie Leweling has five goals and six assists. Derek spoke about how Celtic will have to watch out for the duo, stating, “ There are what you would call revolving door attacking with Stuttgart, where you think Undav is the centre forward, then all of a sudden Leweling comes from the right-hand side, and then he plays the centre forward role.

Celtic face an exceptionally difficult task on Thursday if they want to end their wait for a European knockout win, but fans will be hoping Martin O’Neil can roll back the years and progress  Celtic’s European adventure.