Nottingham Forest drawn against Fenerbahce while Celtic face Stuttgart in Europa League play off ties
Nottingham Forest have a challenging away fixture in Istanbul following the draw on Friday which paired them with Fenerbahce in the Europa League knockout round play offs, as Celtic prepare to confront Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.
The Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, positioned just outside the drop zone, ended the Europa League group stage in 13th place among 36 entrants, earning them a seeded spot in the play off selection.
Fenerbahce represent a formidable opponent, remaining undefeated in Turkey's top flight this campaign despite trailing table toppers Galatasaray by three points.
Their roster boasts ex Manchester City shot stopper Ederson, alongside Spanish talent Marco Asensio and French playmaker Matteo Guendouzi.
Nottingham Forest, eyeing a potential return to Istanbul for the May final, can take heart from Aston Villas recent 1 0 victory over Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu venue last week.
The victors of this matchup will advance to face either Real Betis or Midtjylland in the round of 16, recalling Nottingham Forests home defeat to the Danish side during the league stage back in October.
Celtic earned their play off berth by overcoming Utrecht of the Netherlands 4 2 on Thursday, securing 21st position overall, and they will entertain Stuttgart, who occupy fifth in the Bundesliga, in the opening leg on 19 February ahead of the second leg in Germany on 26 February.
The successful side from this encounter will encounter Portuguese challengers in the last 16, facing either Porto or Braga.
Additional play off pairings feature Serie A representatives Bologna against Norwegian outfit Brann Bergen and Ligue 1 team Lille versus Red Star Belgrade.
Aston Villa progress directly to the round of 16 among the eight automatic qualifiers and await a matchup with one of Lille, Red Star Belgrade, PAOK or Celta Vigo.
Europa League knockout round play offs draw
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Genk (BEL)
Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) v Ferencvaros (HUN)
Celtic (SCO) v VfB Stuttgart (GER)
Brann (NOR) v Bologna (ITA)
Panathinaikos (GRE) v Viktoria Plzen (CZE)
PAOK (GRE) v Celta Vigo (ESP)
Fenerbahce (TUR) v Nottingham Forest (ENG)
Lille (FRA) v Red Star Belgrade (SRB)