Andreas Hinkel hopes he can use to use Celtic's Europa League game against Hamburg on Thursday to force his way into Germany's World Cup squad. The full-back has 19 caps but has been a bit-part player since Joachim Low became the manager of the national side after the 2006 tournament. Hinkel may have missed Celtic's last three games but has declared himself fit and ready for a return to action after a thigh injury. With the SPL not shown in Germany, Hinkel knows the double-header against Hamburg could be his big chance to show what he can do ahead of next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa. The former Sevilla and Stuttgart player is also looking forward to taking on a club from his homeland for the first time since he left Germany three years ago. Hinkel said: "This will be the first time since I left Germany that I will play against a German team so it's special for me. And it's a good opportunity for the German people to see me because the SPL is not televised in Germany. And, of course, it's important to me because the German national coach will see the game so I'm looking forward to it."

Hamburg started their Europa League campaign with a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna away from home before beating Hapoel Tel Aviv to lie second in Group C, two points clear of Celtic who are in bottom position. Bruno Labbadia's side will arrive at Parkhead full of confidence, having stayed joint top of the Bundesliga on Saturday. Hinkel said: "At the moment, Hamburg have a few injuries to key players but they still have a good team. Their striker Jose Guerrero has a knee injury and will be out for six months, while Mladen Petric, who has scored a lot of goals in the first few games, looks like he'll miss the game on Thursday. But they are a very good side, full of confidence and are top of the German League."