Celtic backed to plot route to group stages

Daniel Arzani has backed Celtic to advance to the Champions League group stages and join the cream of Europe.

The Hoops will again have to do it the hard way after being handed a tough draw against Bosnian side Sarajevo in their opening qualifier. They must make it through four rounds to reach the group stages.

Neil Lennon’s side will take on a side managed by former Hearts striker Husref Musemic as they seek to reach the group stages for a third time in four years.

On-loan Manchester City winger Arzani believes it is harsh that the Scottish champions have to take such an arduous route to the groups given their recent achievements. But he insists the Parkhead outfit have the quality to make the moneyspinning phase.

The Australian, who hopes to make an impact this term after his first season in Scotland was wrecked by a serious knee injury, said of the draw: “It’s really difficult.

“The biggest mistake we could make is underestimating a team like this. You have to take it very seriously – it’s the Champions League after all.

“I think it’s a little bit unfair (that we have to go through so many qualifiers) but I also think that the cream always rises to the top.

“We have the quality to go through all the way and I think we are going to.

“It’s unfair but at the end of the day we just need to stick our heads down and get the job done.”

Lennon’s treble-treble winners are due to play at home in the first leg on July 9-10, although fixtures are subject to change.

The Hoops missed out on a place in last year’s group stage after being dumped out at the third qualifying round by AEK Athens, although the team did progress to the last 32 of the Europa League under former boss Brendan Rodgers.

Uefa have handed Celtic the added safety net of a bye to the third qualifying round of the Europa League should they fail to get past Sarajevo.

Northern Ireland champions Linfield will face Rosenborg of Norway, Ireland’s Dundalk have been drawn to face Latvians Riga and The New Saints of Wales will face the winners of a preliminary round.