Celtic did brilliantly to make it past the first phase of the UEFA Europa League, finishing 21st and booking their place in the play-off round of the competition. The fact that the Rangers could not and ended up 32nd with just four points from eight games would have made their European success taste even sweeter.

Now, the focus moves towards the play-off phase though. Celtic have been handed a tough tie as they will be taking on VfB Stuttgart.

Sebastian Hoeness' team are in form and currently sit at fourth in the Bundesliga, exceeding all expectations that would have been set for them, coming into the campaign. Naturally, it won't be easy for Celtic to get a positive result, in either leg.

UEFA have now announced the officials for the first leg between Celtic and VfB Stuttgart, set to be played at Parkhead this week.

According to UEFA's official website, Erik Lambrechts will be the referee on the night. Mathias Hillaert and Kevin Monteny will be the assistant referees, while Jasper Vergoote will be the fourth official. Bram Van Driessche will be on VAR duty and he will be assisted by Pol van Boekel.

Celtic's results against German teams in Europe have been mixed. Last season, they met quite a few in the Champions League. They lost 7-1 to Borussia Dortmund away at Signal Iduna Park. But that was followed by a win over RB Leipzig at Parkhead. Ultimately, they faced Bayern Munich in the play-off round of the competition and lost narrowly, 3-2 on aggregate, which included a 1-1 draw away at the Allianz Arena.

Incidentally, the last time that they met VfB Stuttgart, Martin O'Neill was the manager of the club.

It was the Hoops who came out on top on that occasion. They won 5-4 on aggregate in the fourth round of the 2002/03 UEFA Cup. Of course, if O'Neill is able to replicate that famous European run more than two decades later, then we are in for quite the ride.

Unfortunately, their record against German teams since that tie is not particularly impressive. In nine home meetings with Bundesliga sides since Stuttgart's last visit, Celtic have won on just two occasions while losing six times and drawing once.

It is very clear that Celtic will need to be at the top of their game this week if they want to get the better of VfB Stuttgart at home, and even better in the second leg.

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