Even saying the names gets you excited.

Okay, it's the last 32 of the Europa League rather the final or even a semi-final of the European Cup.

But when you look at where both clubs currently, are it's still a match of huge importance.

It was only two years ago Celtic were competing in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Three years before that, Inter were winning the competition.

Both clubs have had their problems since and are looking to climb back up the European ladder.

To that end, the game tonight, and when they meet in the San Siro next week, will show Ronny Deila and Roberto Mancini how much progress they are making.

Like Celtic, Inter are starting to get it right domestically.

When the draw was made back in December, I admit to some apprehension as I was not sure Celtic were ready to face a side of this calibre or experience.

Since then, closer inspection of Inter has shown they are not firing on all cylinders - though they've started winning recently - as Roberto tries to make the changes required to get back to the top in Italy.

At the same time, Celtic have got their act together, as is underlined by the form and consistency shown in domestic competitions.

But that's a world away from what is required to be successful in Europe, and it is only after these two ties have been played we will really be able to measure how far Ronny's side has come.

In fact, we will have a very good indication by 10 o'clock tonight, because Celtic Park has not been the fortress it once was.

The last two Italian clubs to visit here, AC Milan and Juventus, both left with 3-0 victories.

Red Bull Salzburg and Maribor also won important games here. That's a trend which Celtic have to reverse.

They need to get back to the old days when results at home gave them a fighting chance of progressing in Europe.

It's also important they show they can match up to a side like Inter and that the improvement made under Ronny is not restricted to domestic competition.

Celtic have done very well to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League.

But we can't forget how disappointing they were in their bid to qualify for the Champions League, which is where they really need to be for so many reasons, not least financial.

There is a place in next season's Champions League on offer to the winner of the Europa League, and that's a clever move by Uefa because as it ensures the bigger clubs take the competition more seriously.

That makes Inter even more dangerous opposition for Celtic and it will make it a true test for Ronny's side.

It has clicked for them in the domestic competitions, not least defensively.

But they shipped seven goals in their final two Group Stage matches, and Inter have more of an attacking threat than Red Bull or Dinamo Zagreb, so they really do need to step it up for this one.

I hope the occasion and atmosphere helps the players raise their game to the required level, but it will take all of them to be at their very best if they are to get the result they want.

The fans have already bought into by snapping up every available ticket, and I'm looking forward to being there on another marvelous occasion.

Like many of the supporters, my mind has been carried back to the previous meetings with Internazionale.

Frustratingly, a hamstring injury kept me out of the 1972 European Cup semi-final, which we lost in a penalty shoot-out.

But it is the meeting in Lisbon three years earlier that will live with me forever.

The sight of Billy McNeill holding the trophy aloft is the most iconic image of all time.

I was a youngster on the playing staff, but was not taken to Lisbon.

Instead, I watched it at the home of my wife's parents.

Unlike today, when you can call up any game on the internet, or dig out a DVD of it, back then it was very difficult to view a game again.

But, now that the '67 final is available, I can't watch it often enough.

I still marvel at the fitness of the Celtic players. It was blistering heat, and they had played around 70 games that season at a time when the only sub you could use was a keeper.

But, they were still going strong, and that was down to the way Jock Stein had prepared them.

Ronny is very much into diet, lifestyle, sports science and hard work, and this is paying off.

But, I'm not sure I have ever seen a side fitter than the Lisbon Lions.

Can this team put another big result against Inter in the history books?

To have any chance, they must not concede tonight. Which is why possession of the ball will be key, along with how effective they are at managing Inter when they do give it away.

They must also be more clinical than in domestic games because they will not be able to create as many chances.

I'd have gone with John Guidetti up front, had he been playing regularly. But, as it is, I'd stick with Leigh Griffiths.

There isn't any reason to risk Kris Commons in case his hamstring goes and he has to miss several important games coming up.