Kevin Kilbane believes that German football is currently the finest in Europe.
The former Republic of Ireland international has said that the success of teams such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in the Champions League means that the Bundesliga is the best domestic league in Europe at the moment.
"German football is at the very top of European football right now," Kilbane wrote in his column in the Daily Mail. "Bayern Munich are heading towards their 23rd league title, with records being shattered in the process. All this with Pep Guardiola to come in next season.
"They demolished Arsenal at the Emirates a fortnight ago and only an unlikely and massive slip-up at home to the Gunners this week will prevent Bayern from joining Dortmund in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
"Schalke, meanwhile, currently sixth in the Bundesliga, are also on course to progress this week after drawing the first leg of their last-16 tie with Galatasaray 1-1. So that could be three German teams in the last eight, and not one from the Premier League."
Kilbane retired from football in December 2012.