“Stuttgart are flying at the moment, they’re fourth in the Bundesliga and in a Champions League position.

“We’ve had a look at them and they’re strong, physical and they’ve got a lot of good players, so they will be difficult games for us but while we’re there, let’s go for it.”

Celtic face a side who finished just outside the automatic qualification places for the last 16 of the Europa League while, domestically, they currently sit fourth in the league table and come into the match on the back of a 3-1 home win over Cologne at the weekend.

So the Celtic manager and his squad are under no illusions as to the tough task which awaits them.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game over the two legs,” Martin O’Neill said.

“If it had been condensed to one, then you never know, but I’m going to be positive – we will be and we’ll try and get off to a half-decent start. That will help us.

“I don’t want us to be fearful of the games. We’ve got to go in with some confidence and if we didn’t get a lift from fighting back on Sunday, then nothing will give you a lift. That was great.

“Now I’m accepting the fact that this is a European night and it is a side who are flying in the Bundesliga, but I think you should leave that aside and let us do as much as we can for ourselves rather than considering what the opposition might to do us.”

Watch the manager’s full press conference

Reaching 1,000 games as a manager
The challenge of VfB Stuttgart
Contribution of the new Bhoys
Celtic Park’s European reputation

Manager: Stuttgart will be a tough test but let's go for it