UEFA will use the inaugural tournament - the successor to the now-defunct UEFA Cup - to experiment with one extra official behind each goal in a bid to assist the referee.

It is thought the extra pair of eyes on each penalty box will help cut down on things like shirt pulling and grappling as well as any contentious goalline decisions.

However, Hinkel does not believe the extra attention paid to defending in the box will affect any of the Hoops players.

"We will see what happens," the Celtic right-back said.

"But I won't be more careful. I try to stop strikers by fair means so it will be no different to me.

"I don't think any players will change their style of football, they will play normally."

Hinkel claims Celtic have as good a chance as any side of winning the competition but is expecting a tough time qualifying out of Group C which also includes Rapid Vienna and Hamburg, with the biggest test coming against Bundesliga leaders.

"It is a tough group," the former Stuttgart player said.

"Rapid Vienna getting through surprised me because I watched their game against Aston Villa and of course I know about Hamburg.

"It's the first time I have played against an Israeli team and I have never been to Israel before but the manager will tell us more about them when we travel over.

"But Hamburg will be our main rivals, they are confident at the moment, and they have a good squad."

The German international believes Old Firm rivals Rangers will also face a tough test against Stuttgart in their opening Champions League Group G clash in Germany on Wednesday night.

However, he claims it is another of his former clubs, Sevilla, who will be favourites to top the section.

"Stuttgart have had a poor start to the season, they have just five points and are in 12th in the league," Hinkel said.

"The press have not been good to them so they are under pressure.

"If they want to go through then they have to win against Rangers because it is a home game.

"I think it will be tight but for me the favourites are Sevilla.

"They have the best team and the best quality and then it is between Stuttgart and Rangers to fight for second place."