ANDY: GLASGOW REMAINS CLOSE TO MY HEART

LEIPZIG No.2 Andreas Hinkel can’t wait to return to his happy place – but warned it could be a miserable night if they take Rangers lightly.

The former Celtic full-back fell in love with Glasgow during his three-year Parkhead stint.

And Hinkel, left, can’t wait for a look around the place when he heads back to

Scotland for next week’s second-leg showdown at Ibrox.

“Of course I’m really looking forward to facing Rangers,” said the former league and League Cup winner at Celtic.

“Since we knew it was possible to face Rangers I was happy and looking forward to the game, especially because I knew we were going to travel to Glasgow and I really love that place.

“The atmosphere in Ibrox will be outstanding. Even if not quite as outstanding as Celtic Park. It’s a city close to my heart and I’m really looking forward to returning there with RB Leipzig.

“The roots of football are found in Glasgow. If I am not mistaken, one of the first international matches was played in Glasgow.

“Football is firmly anchored in the culture there and for many fans it is simply a tradition to accompany their own team beyond national borders, which is why this game will be something very special.”

Leipzig – who reached the last four of the Champions League in 2020 – are firm favourites to go one step further in this year’s Europa League but Hinkel is wary of Rangers.

He said: “They didn’t qualify for the semi-finals by chance. They beat some good competitors so it’s going to be hard to get a result.”