UEFA put 34-year-old rookie in charge of RB Leipzig v Celtic

Espen Eskas from Norway will referee his first Champions League group match when he takes charge of Wednesday’s game between RB Leipzig and Celtic.

The 34-year-old Norwegian has experience in under-age international matches, in December 2019 he refereed Celtic’s 3-1 Europa League win over Rennes which ensured top place in that group. That was one of just four Europa League matches that he has taken charge of.

Being in charge of a match between Scottish and German teams shouldn’t be too much of a culture change for a Norwegian but a first Champions League tie in front of a sell-out 47,000 crowd will be a big test for Eskas.

Wednesday’s match is almost make or break stage for RB Leipzig after they lost their two opening matches. A change of manager from their opening day 4-1 home defeat from Shakhtar Donetsk resulted in Marco Rose being called in and getting a respectable 2-0 defeat away to Real Madrid.

Celtic’s point away to Shakhtar Donetsk gives them a fighting chance of progressing but they will require to win either of the Leipzig ties if they are to build on that and hope to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.

CLICK HERE for Eskas profile.