Stephen Welsh draws on Celtic spirit of 2007 ahead of RB Leipzig clash as he recalls night Kaka and Co were downed

Stephen Welsh admits AC Milan superstars Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Kaka and Filippo Inzaghi were part of his own Champions League baptism of fire on a night when Celtic beat the best in the world. The Hoops defender may have been at primary school at the time but the memory of a 2-1 Parkhead win over the holders remains fresh as it was also his first taste of Europe as a fan.

That class of 2007 had Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald scoring the goals and Welsh was a wide-eyed kid with a dream of treading the boards on the biggest stage with his boyhood heroes. That reality should arrive against RB Leipzig.

A chance to reignite hopes of making a genuine stab at progressing from Group F is at stake against the Germans after having one point to show for being three games in. Making amends for last Wednesday's 3-1 loss in the Red Bull Arena is on Welsh's mind as spoke about an opportunity to fulfil a childhood ambition after being asked about his favourite Euro occasion in Glasgow's East End.

He said: “Probably the first one I went to, the AC Milan game, the 2-1 game. They were the best team in the world at the time and Celtic went out and won the game. Hopefully we can do the same on Tuesday night. I was seven or eight. It was a long time ago now. But I am here now to go and play and challenge at the top stage. They had Kaka, Pirlo. They were a good team, but that night Celtic came out on top.

"At that time it is a dream, but you never actually think of it. To go and do that would be a special occasion. That is the dream – to go there and play in the Champions League. I have played away from home now obviously, but it is a different kettle of fish playing at home on a Champions League night.

"Hopefully we can use