Celtic have learned the officials for their upcoming clashes with Benfica and Hearts.

In a crucial double-header for both their domestic and European campaigns, Martin O’Neill’s men face an unforgiving 65-hour turnaround between the two games.

Portuguese giants Benfica are among the favourites to win the Europa League and haven’t lost a home match in eight months. Hearts are undoubtedly going to be emotionally charged on their first return to Celtic Park since their collapse at the end of last season.

They won’t hesitate to complain about the officiating either, given their protestations at the end of last season. You wouldn’t envy the man in the middle, who has now been named.

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Nikola Dabanovic and David Dickinson named as upcoming Celtic referees

Nikola Dabanovic will lead a Montenegrin group of officials for the Benfica clash in Lisbon. It will be his second time officiating the Hoops; he refereed a 4-1 win for Neill Lennon’s men away at AIK in Stockholm in 2019.

Three days later, David Dickinson will be in charge of Celtic’s clash with Hearts. He will be joined by linesmen David McGeachie and Ross Macleod, fourth official Colin Steven, VAR Chris Graham and assistant VAR Duncan Williams.

Discussing the Benfica clash after Celtic’s win over Motherwell, boss O’Neill said: “The European game will just end up taking care of itself in that sense. You’re going to Benfica; I think they will probably be a bit disappointed. They’re not in the Champions League, and they played brilliantly against Hearts.

“So it’ll be a tough game. But for us domestically, to get on track again was delightful. So we’ll have a look at that there on Tuesday morning.

“I think that was the point. I think that’s a big advantage for them in many aspects. I wanted Rangers to qualify for their competition just to play the games. It wasn’t altruistic on my part. I just wanted them to play the matches.

“We’ll try and deal with it as best we can. Obviously, the most important thing for us is to stay up there in the league. But the European games, and I’ve said this before to you this time last year — it’s what the club are aspiring to. Whether we’re good enough to compete here or not, I couldn’t really tell you.”