Four Algeria internationals will be involved in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League play-off ties, each aiming to move a step closer to the last 16 of the competition.
At the Maksimir Stadium, Moncef Bekrar is set to lead the line against Racing Genk after a hamstring injury ruled out compatriot Ismael Bennacer.
The 25-year-old striker, left on the bench during the Croatian league win over Istra 1961 last weekend, is expected to return to the starting XI in continental competition, where he has contributed two goals and one assist in seven appearances this season.
Elsewhere, Lille OSC host Red Star Belgrade with two Algerian players involved — defender Aissa Mandi and midfielder Nabil Bentaleb.
The pair also featured in November’s meeting between the sides, when the record-capped international even wore the captain’s armband.
Lille enter the tie seeking revenge after a 1-0 defeat in Belgrade during the group phase.
Despite spells of dominance and greater possession, the French side conceded late on to an 85th-minute penalty from Marko Arnautovic.
The fourth Algerian involved is Badreddine Bouanani, whose VfB Stuttgart side return to the knockout stages of a European competition for the first time since 2012-13, when they were eliminated by Lazio.
Used intermittently in the Bundesliga, the former Nice player could receive minutes against Celtic, a team noted for its threat from set pieces.
Only FC Midtjylland have scored more goals from dead-ball situations in this season’s competition than the Scottish club, four of whose last five Europa League goals have come from corners or penalties.
Stuttgart and Celtic meet for the third time, although the German side have not visited Hampden Park for 16 years.
Their previous knockout encounter came in 2002-03. Despite a first-leg goal from Kevin Kuranyi, Celtic won 3-1, and although Stuttgart triumphed 3-2 in the return, the Scottish side progressed 5-4 on aggregate.
Managed then by Martin O’Neill, they went on to reach the final, losing 3-2 after extra time to FC Porto led by Jose Mourinho.
Historically, Stuttgart have five wins, two draws and five defeats against Scottish opposition, scoring and conceding 16 goals.
They also met Heart of Midlothian in the 2000-01 UEFA Cup, advancing on the away-goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Unlike Mandi and Bentaleb, “Badro” did not feature in the previous meeting between the clubs.
Thursday’s match offers him the opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of these encounters — and potentially help secure qualification for the round of 16.
