Barnes has represented England at every age group from U-18 through to senior level, but his solitary senior cap came in a friendly – a substitute appearance against Wales in October 2020 – meaning the door has not closed on a switch to Scotland.

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Celtic learn secrets of ‘The Tub’ as Feyenoord make rivals sink with Europe’s most mind-boggling home record

Ex-Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano has just ended a two-year spell with the Eredivisie champions and was blown away by the support.

Ofir Marciano felt the surge of the Celtic Park crowd as he stood in the eye of the storm as an opposition goalkeeper for Hibs. And the big Israeli was right in the midst of that electric current as a spectator at more than one European evening in the east end of Glasgow.

But Marciano reckons the Hoops are in for a shock themselves when they encounter the ferocious power of Feyenoord ’s super-charged De Kuip home for next week’s Champions League Group E opener in Rotterdam.

The keeper brought a two-year stint with the Dutch champions to an end last month when he returned home to Israel to sign for Hapoel Beer Sheva. It’s not just an Eredivisie winners’ medal and a Europa Conference League runners-up gong he takes away from the Netherlands though – it’s the memory of a fanbase he insists is strong enough to lift Arne Slot’s side all by themselves.

The Het Legioen are assigned the number 12 shirt such is their value. And never was that more evident than on the European stage when – in 14 home ties across Marciano’s two seasons at the club – they never lost once. Lazio, Roma and Marseille were among the clubs defeated in De Kuip – translated as ‘The Tub’ – while the lid was put on Shaktar Donetsk and Sturm Graz’s hopes with six goal thumpings.

It’s little wonder Marciano reckons his old side will pip the Hoops and Lazio to the second qualification spot in Group E with the force of the 51,000 capacity stadium behind the for three of the six ties.

Speaking to MailSport, the former Hibs hero said: “I loved being a part of Feyenoord for the last two years. Even sitting on the bench it felt amazing. We always found the stadium could give us a lift in bad moments and we always had an advantage when we played at home. No matter who we played, big teams like Roma, Marseille and Lazio were beaten, it’s a special stadium. Of course Celtic have an incredible home too, I played there and took in a couple of Champions League games and it can be amazing.

“But I’m sure Celtic will feel they’re in a special place when they face Feyenoord next week. The fans are really, really connected to the team and the club. They are demanding but really supportive and they know their job. It’s funny to say but they feel the game – they feel it and know when it’s their time to put pressure on opponents and when it’s their time to support their team.

“It’s two giant clubs with rich history and it’s really good for the fans that these two clubs have been drawn against each other. Of course, Atletico Madrid have a big budget and are probably the favourites to win the group. Feyenoord, Celtic and Lazio have a fair chance of grabbing the second place.

“But Feyenoord are my favourite to go through.Not just because I was there, you never know how these groups will develop, but they have the quality to do it.”

Marciano spent most of last season playing back-up to Dutch international keeper Justin Bijlow and insists Arne Slot has quality right across his side.

Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is the main threat and having finished top scorer with 15 goals as Feyenoord lifted their first Dutch title in six years. Already he’s struck five times in four Eredivisie games this season.

But it’s the 44-year-old boss himself who Marciano reckons is the club’s biggest asset.

The Israel international said: “Gimenez cannot stop scoring. He had a difficult start when he arrived from Mexico.

“It took him a couple of months to settle in and understand the philosophy of the club and the way we want to play.

“It was a new country for him and a new culture. But you always saw his quality and he really exploded in the last six or seven months.

“He is a really good striker for the highest level in Europe.

“They have two great centre backs in David Hancko and Gernot Trauner who are really strong. Lutsharel Geertruida at right back and Quilindschy Hartman on the left are also good with the ball and there’s good midfielders, Mats Wieffer and Igor Paixao the Brazilian winger is also very dangerous.

“They have new signings too and from the games I saw this year they have started to develop the philosophy of the coach, Arne Slot.

“He is the main man. He runs the show. And I give him a lot of credit for the success of the last few years.

“I would definitely say he is one of the best I have experienced. He likes to play football and has his own ideas of football.

“He managed to deliver those ideas to the squad and the players then delivered it on the pitch. That’s the definition of a good manager.

“The last two years Feyenoord had some difficulties but now they are bringing back the success in Europe and winning the league was massive.

“They sold some big players to clubs in Europe so the budget is getting bigger and now they can really push on.

“Ajax and Feyenoord are the biggest clubs in Holland but the last year Feyenoord had some difficulties bdget wise. But now they are coming back again.”