Twice in relatively recent history, Scottish clubs have been in European action on Valentine's Day, with mixed fortunes.

In 2007, Rangers lost 2-1 away to Hapoel Aviv. Nacho Novo scoring the Ibrox side's goal that night.

A year later, Aberdeen drew 2-2 with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich at Pittodrie. Current Edinburgh City midfielder Josh Walker with the opening goal, and Sone Aluko adding a second.

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This year has been a breeze for Celtic so far...

Brendan Rodgers' side have won all seven matches played in 2019, without conceding a goal.

The fixture list has been kind, without a game against a top four rival, but the champions have had to contend with a long list of injuries.

Tonight represents a significant step up. Valencia are not exactly setting the heather alight in La Liga but their summer shopping list included five players bought for fees in excess of £10m, including the £35m paid for winger Goncalo Guedes, who is on the bench this evening.

Celtic shattered their signing record to bring in Odsonne Eduoard for around £8m in June.

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As Brendan Rodgers points out, Valencia have lost just four games in La Liga this season.

That's two fewer than second-placed Real Madrid but Los Che are a whopping 20 points behind leaders Barcelona.

That's because they have drawn 13 of their 23 league matches, leaving them in eighth place.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers spoke yesterday of the "wonderful challenge" of facing Valencia.

"As you would expect from a team that has lost only four games this season in a fantastic league, they are a very good side.

"They are historically one of the big clubs in Spanish football. They play a 4-4-2 system, with good movement - a very fast team especially when they turn over the ball and we will anticipate a really tough game.

"We play against these good teams but I reinforce to the team, we are also a good team, that's why we are in this stage of the competition having got out of a really tough group."

Celtic: Bain, Toljan, Boyata, Simunovic, Izaguirre, Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Sinclair, Burke.

Substitutes: Gordon, Hayes, Edouard, Lustig, Weah, Ajer, Johnston.

Valencia: Neto, Piccini, Garay, Diakhaby, Lato, Soler, Kondogbia, Parejo, Wass, Cheryshev, Sobrino.

Substitutes: Domenech, Guedes, Gameiro, Lee, Coquelin, Torres, Centelles.

This is Celtic's third showdown with Valencia.

The clubs met in the third round of the Uefa Cup in 2001-02, with both sides winning 1-0 at home and Valencia prevailing in a penalty shoot-out in Glasgow.

Valencia also triumphed in the first round of the 1962-63 Inter-Cities Fairs' Cup, 6-4 on aggregate, with the Spaniards going on to retain the trophy.

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Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound

Emilio Izaguirre has recovered from an ankle knock after missing Sunday's 5-0 win over St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup.

With Kieran Tierney still sidelined by a hip injury, Izaguirre's return at left-back is a major boost.

Jozo Simunovic was withdrawn at half time against the Saints after feeling ill but he's recovered to keep his starting place.

Again, Jeremy Toljan is preferred to Mikael Lustig at right-back and Odsonne Edouard continues as a substitute as he battles back to full fitness.

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It may not be the first choice pre-match anthem for Celtic fans, but European football after Christmas is always a big deal.

The Europa League is back and the Scottish champions welcome Valencia to Glasgow in the first leg of the round of 32 tie.

Fantastico.

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