Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Wouter Vrancken, meanwhile, insists Hearts have the appetite and squad depth to cope with a demanding fixture list.

A busy period of nine games in four weeks started brightly with a 5-0 victory against St Mirren on Saturday to keep the Edinburgh club third in the Scottish Premiership.

"We will never use it as an excuse because we fought hard to have this schedule," Vrancken said.

"I would be more disappointed if we didn't play those games.

"Of course, the big teams want to play these games, but you also need the width of the squad with a lot of quality players.

"We have players who have potential and are showing willingness and energy to go into these games, so we will give our best."

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland in Lisbon

Martin O'Neill wants Celtic's historic European Cup lift in Lisbon to inspire his players.

The veteran manager and his staff have been to visit the scene of the club's greatest triumph, the Estadio Nacional.

"The history of the football club and the connection to Lisbon, it's terrific," O'Neill said. "Something the football club should be really proud of.

"I think it's a separate entity in many aspects.

"By next year, it'll be 60 years, a historical occasion, absolutely fantastic. A lot of the boys have seen the stadium from a trip there last season and are aware of the history.

"It's really lovely, I must admit. It's something to look forward to and just the whole history of it, it should have a galvanising effect on us."

No paternity leave for influential forward Camilo Duran, who starts for Celtic after a quick dash to Lisbon following his partner giving birth yesterday.

Centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers remains out injured, with Dane Murray and Auston Trusty forming the visitors' defensive partnership as Liam Scales moves to the bench.

Manager Martin O'Neill also makes a change in midfield as Oliver Sorensen replaces Benjamin Nygren.

Image source, SNS

There are two changes to the Hearts line-up that swept St Mirren away on Saturday afternoon at Tynecastle.

One is expected and it comes in midfield. Eduardo Ageu was expected to be named in the European squad but picked up another injury in training through the week.

As such, he didn't make the cut - allowing Malachi Fagan-Walcott to be named instead - and Oisin McEntee comes in for his first start since 6 September.

It's also the first time since 28 July that McEntee has started in midfield. He did so in both legs of the doomed Champions League tie against Sturm Graz.

The other change is a slight surprise. Jordi Altena drops to the bench, and is replaced by Christian Borchgrevink.

Image source, SNS

Hearts: Reus, Borchgrevink, Fagan-Walcott, McCart, Milne, McEntee, Mendy, Miller, Braga, McPake, Wilson.

Substitutes: Clark, Fulton, Kingsley, Williams, Kabore, Findlay, Guendouz, Altena, Kerjota, Pollock, Gillies, Mato.

Nordsjaelland: Hansen, Nelsson, Salquist, Markmann, Norheim, Janssen, Brink, Lahteenmaki, Adel, Lind, Amoako.

Substitutes: Busk, Eriksson, Ankersen, Rojkjaer, Solbakken, Acquah, Heyde, Walker, Berthelsen, Sadio, Boe, Faber.

Benfica: Trubin, Dahl, Lenglet, Araujo, Bah, Palhinha, Aursnes, Prestianni, Sudakov, Lukebakio, Duran.

Substitutes: Circati, Pavlidis, Silva, Barreiro, Schjelderup, Soares, Rafa, Echeverri, Indio, El Karouani, Cabral, Freitas.

Celtic: Sinisalo, Donovan, Murray, Trusty, Tierney, McGregor, Baur, Sorensen, Tournekti, Duran, Hogh.

Substitutes: Johnstone, Lotomba, Scales, Nygren, McCowan, Osmand, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hassan, Forrest, Ralston, Kennedy, Clearie.

BBC Sounds

Celtic are in the city of their club's finest hour, facing a challenging Europa League night against Benfica, while Hearts kick off their Conference League campaign at home to Nordsjaelland.

Pre-match coverage is under way on Sportsound - tune in on BBC Sounds or on this page, where you will have a choice of listening at kick-off of both matches.

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