WHO THE BHOYS COULD FACE
UEFA have confirmed the six potential opponents for Celtic ahead of this week’s Champions League first qualifying round draw.
Fans are eagerly awaiting today’s draw in Nyon as Brendan Rodgers and his players prepare for another summer qualifying campaign.
Celtic have been seeded in pot 3 alongside old foes Astana (KAZ), and Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) as well as Red Star Belgrade (SRB), Kukes (ALB), Zrinjski (BIH) meaning they cannot meet those teams at this stage.
That leaves the following six sides as potential opponents when the qualifying campaign gets under way next month.
Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) – This side dumped St Johnstone out of the Europa League qualifiers at the third stage four years ago. That will serve as a warning should Celtic draw Trnava. Spartak won the Fortuna Liga by five points from Slovan Bratislava last season and are managed by former Czech international midfielder Radoslav Latal.
Valletta (Malta) – Maltese champions are perpetual early exiters in Europe but did make it to the second qualifying round of the Europa League last season after beating San Marino’s Folgore.
Valletta won the Premier League by three points last season and are managed by Danilo Doncic.
Alashkert (Armenia) – Another side who have recently ended Saints European hopes and could now be set for another trip to Scotland. Alashkert won their Premier League by six points and are managed by former Armenia national coach Varuzhan Sukiasyan.
Sutjeska (Montenegro) – It’s a first foray into the Champions League in three years and they are still waiting for a first ever victory at this level. Romped to the title by 22 points and are managed by Nikola Rakojevic.
Spartaks Jurmala (Latvia) – They have only three years of Euro experience to their name following their formation in 2007. Only one win, in Europa League qualifying over Buducnost Podgoria in 2015. Spartaks won the Virsliga by nine points and are managed by Aleksandr Grishin.
Flora Tallinn (Estonia) – FC Flora are veterans of the early stages of European competition but have never gone beyond the qualifying round.
Won their title by six points and are managed by Jurgen Henn.