Andy: I Hinkel go to World Cup if I can get Low down; EUROPA LEAGUE HAMBURG v CELTIC, 6.00.

Byline: RONNIE ESPLIN

ANDREAS HINKEL will get a golden chance to stake his claim for a World Cup spot when Celtic face Hamburg in tonight's Europa League clash at the Nordbank Arena tonight.

The former Stuttgart and Sevilla right-back played for Germany in summer friendlies against China and United Arab Emirates but lost his place in the subsequent World Cup qualifiers as Joachim Low's side booked their place in South Africa next year with a 1-0 win in Russia last month.

Hinkel, 27, knows he has the perfect opportunity to impress Low and the rest of the German nation although he tried to play down the pressure he must be feeling to perform. "I am happy to be here," he said. "It is the first time that I have played against a German team since I left the country and so it is a special game for me.

"It is a game against a German team and all the people in Germany can see me, which is unusual because it is difficult to watch Scottish football here.

"My family and friends are coming to watch the game so I am looking forward to it. You always feel a little bit of pressure but I think I can handle this pressure.

"It is one opportunity but it is just one game. I try to keep my levels high for the whole season in Scotland.

"That's all I can do and the rest is a decision for the Germany coach."

Hinkel, like the rest of his Celtic team-mates, cannot afford to be anything other than at their best.

Hamburg are top of the table with Hapoel Tel Aviv on six points from three games, Rapid have four points and Tony Mowbray's side are bottom with one point.

Hinkel, who missed Hamburg's 1-0 win at Celtic Park last month, accepts that three wins in the remaining three games may be needed to qualify out of the group.

"The mathematics are simple," he said. "We know we have to win all three games left but it's not as if we were annihilated in the three games so far.

"All the games have been very tight and we could have won them all.

"We could have beat Rapid Vienna and we had equally good chances against Hapoel and Hamburg.

"But I expect a very tough game against Hamburg.

"I think they are the favourites, they are playing at home and they have a decent side.

"But I saw the game at Celtic Park and we had a lot of chances.

"We just have to score more goals. We have created a lot of chances in the last few weeks and we haven't taken them.

"Hamburg didn't get a lot of chances at Celtic Park but they were cleverer than us that night.

"This time, we have got to be concentrated for the whole game - we can't play 'hurrah' football.

"We have to do the right things at the right time, make the right decisions and take our chances."

CAPTION(S):

EYE ON THE PRIZE Celtic's Andreas Hinkel is hoping he can impress the Germany coach against Hamburg