Celtic will look to do the unthinkable and turn around a three-goal swing as they visit Stuttgart in the second leg of the last 16 playoffs at the MHP Arena on Thursday (kick-off: 5.45pm UK time).
Martin O’Neill’s side head into the game with a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament after last week’s demoralising 4-1 first-leg defeat to Sebastian Hoeneß’s men, while they also suffered a damaging 2-1 home defeat to Hibs in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
As for their hosts, Stuttgart enter the game on the back of an exhilarating 3-3 away draw with Bundesliga strugglers Heidenheim at the weekend. Despite taking a fifth-minute lead through Chris Fuhrich, they found themselves behind twice in the game before Denis Undav’s 88th equaliser ensured Die Roten took a share of the spoils. The game didn’t come without consequence, though, with one of their key players being forced off with a knee injury.
Ahead of the game at the MHP Arena, The Scotsman has all the early team news:
9. Julian Araujo - Celtic - OUT
The Mexican international will miss the game after picking up a knock. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
10. Dan-Axel Zagadou - Stuttgart - INELIGIBLE
The French centre-back is expected to be out until early next month with an injury, and is thus not included in the club's squad for the Europa League playoffs. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
11. Michel-Ange Balikwisha - Celtic - INELIGIBLE
Banished from recent matchday squad, and left out of the club's squad for the Europa League playoffs, the £5million summer signing has question marks hanging over his future at the club and will not play against Stuttgart this week. | PA Photo: PA
12. Callum Osmand - Celtic - OUT
Suffered a bad hamstring injury earlier in the competition which required surgery, and and isn't expected to return until March at the earliest. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group