It is not worth stating that Celtic v Real Madrid is a massive game for the Hoops; that much is obvious. It’s been a 42 year wait to play against the Spanish giants in a competitive match and among the array of European sides to visit Paradise Los Blancos must rank at the top of the list.

In the build up it has been said that Real Madrid are “arguably the biggest club in the world”, but there’s no argument about it. The only team that is referenced to challenge the Spaniards to that title is Manchester United. There’s no doubt that the Red Devils are a huge institution with a worldwide support and global shirt sales to match Madrid. However, their European trophy hall tallies to eight – 3 European Cups, 1 European Cup Winners’ Cups, 1 Europa League, 1 European Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Fifa World Club Cup. Meanwhile, Madrid have amassed thirty continental trophies – 14 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 5 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Latin Cups, 4 Fifa Club World Cups, 3 Intercontinental Cups.

In domestic terms, Real Madrid have won La Liga – a league not dissimilar in quality to the English Premiership with an equally tough challenge at the top end of the table – 35 times. That’s 15 national titles more than Manchester United.

Evidently, there is a clear disparity in the number of trophies won by each club, and Madrid also have the larger stadium with the Bernabeu holding over 80,000, whereas Old Trafford holds slightly less.

If you combine a far larger trophy room with a bigger stadium and a similar worldwide appeal, then it becomes apparent that Real Madrid are the world’s biggest club by any measurement. And that’s the case if you compare trophies, support and stadia with any other club on the planet, from AC Milan to Barcelona.

It will be incredible to see Celtic play against such a giant in the game, but there should be no respect shown until full time. Indeed, it should be remembered that the Hoops have beaten them twice before: famously, in 1967, the Lisbon Lions proved their worth as European Champions with a masterclass in the Bernabeu – and latterly Celtic earned a 2-0 first leg advantage in the 1980 European Cup quarter final.

What a feeling it would be to earn a third victory tomorrow night!