Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor concedes RB Leipzig will pose a serious challenge when they meet on Thursday but insists his team are confident as they prepare to head to Germany.

The Hoops are the outsiders for the Europa League encounter, with Leipzig reaching the quarter-finals of the competition last season. Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers has been under pressure this season but his side have won four of their last five games in all competitions.

Celtic were beaten 3-1 by RB Leipzig in their last Europa League encounter and McGregor admits the German outfit will pose a tough challenge. The Scotland international has refused to panic though and he believes the Bhoys can claim a result.

“We know again that it’ll be a tough ask. We have a difficult group and a tough start as well, and we know Leipzig are a good side,” he told the Celtic View. “They’ve spent a bit of money as well so they’ll be fancying themselves to go far in the competition.

For us, we’ll go there fully prepared and try to get something from the game in terms of both points and performance. “We’ve played a few German sides now and it’s clear German football is very tactical in terms of how the teams are set up.

“The build-up play is usually two or three touches then move the ball up field, and when it gets to that forward line they tend to have some real quality going forward.

German sides have always been good in Europe but it’s important for us to go there and be full of confidence as well.”

Leipzig are 1.44 to win, with the draw 5.00, while Celtic are 6.50 to grab the three points.