Celtic turn their attention to the Europa League this week they face Stuttgart in the first leg of the last 16 playoffs at Parkhead (kick-off: 8pm).
Having moved within three points of Premiership leaders Hearts thanks to Julian Araujo’s dramatic 97th-minute winner in the 3-2 victory over Kilmarnock at the weekend, Martin O’Neill’s men will look to fly the flag as the only Scottish side still left in European competition this season.
They’ll face an in-form Stuttgart side that currently sits fourth in the Bundesliga table and enters the game on the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 home victory over Koln. With their fifth win in the last six games in all competitions, head coach Sebastian Hoeneß will be aiming to get a positive result in Glasgow ahead of next week’s second leg at the MVP Arena.
Ahead of the game at Parkhead, The Scotsman has all the early team news:
5. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Celtic - INELIGIBLE
Has came off the bench in Celtic's last two games after signing on a free transfer earlier this month, but won't feature against Stuttgart due to ineligibility. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
6. Junior Adamu - Celtic - AVAILABLE
The January signing has been added to the squad for the Europa League and is available to play against Stuttgart on Thursday. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
7. Lazar Jovanovic - Stuttgart - INELIGIBLE
Is struggling with a back issue, and isn't expected to return until the end of the month. Misses the clash with Celtic after being left out of the club's Europa League squad. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
8. Justin Diehl - Stuttgart - INELIGIBLE
The 21-year-old picked up an adductor problem recently, though it has been described as “a minor injury", calming speculation that Diehl could be sidelined for an extended period. He won't play against Celtic, however, after not being named in the club's Europa League squad. | Getty Images