O'Neill expects special atmosphere

Martin O’Neill expects the atmosphere inside Parkhead to be special tonight and the home fans have been given an extra lift ahead of kick-off with the news that influential midfielder Stilian Petrov has recovered from a facial injury and is named in the starting line-up.

The Bulgarian international had to have 15 stitches inserted in a facial wound after a horrific collision with Marvin Andrews at Livingston on Sunday.

But the 22-year-old has recovered in time to take on the high-flying Spanish outfit as the Scottish champions look to book their place in the fourth round of the UEFA Cup and stay in Europe beyond Christmas for the first time in 23 years.

O’Neill seems to have opted to deploy Chris Sutton in the midfield role which proved so effective against Blackburn Rovers in the last round.

That means a recall for in-form striker John Hartson and he partnered weekend hero Henrik Larsson, but Paul Lambert was the unfortunate player to find himself making way.

Alan Thompson and Momo Sylla also find themselves making way as into the side come Steve Guppy and Didier Agathe.