UEFA still to rule on Old Firm’s fixture clash in October
The Old Firm’s Europa League schedule has started taking shape, with UEFA yesterday announcing the proposed list of fixtures.
It shows one clash, with Rangers’ tie at home to Danish outfit, Brondby, on Thursday October 21, the same day as Celtic are scheduled to host the Hungarians, Ferencvaros.
A clash in the last qualifying round saw the Hoops’ tie with AZ Alkmaar brought forward 24 hours as the Light Blues were also due to be at home to Alashkert on Thursday, August 19.
It’s yet to be decided how this latest clash will be resolved.
One of the games could be brought forward 24 hours, or UEFA could instruct one of the ties to be reversed so that one half of the Old Firm are away from home that night.
Steven Gerrard’s kick-off Group A at home against favourites Lyon, with the match scheduled for 8pm on Thursday, September 16.
They then travel to play Sparta Prague on September 30, with the match starting at 5.45pm.
The middle two matches in the section pair them with Brondby, with the Gers hosting the Danes at Ibrox first on October 21 at 8pm (TBC) before travelling to Copenhagen for the return on November 4, with a 5.45pm kick-off.
The Ibrox men host Sparta on November 25 at 8pm, before rounding matters off away to Lyon at 5.45pm on December 9.
As for Celtic, they get under way back in Seville, where fans travelled in their thousands for the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, with their tie against Real Betis at 5.45pm on September 16.
Then they have two home matches in a row, first against Leverkusen on September 30 at 8pm, then old rivals, Ferencvaros, currently scheduled for 5.45pm on October 21, the same day as Rangers are at home to Brondby.
For now, the return match with Ferencvaros in Budapest has been pencilled in for 8pm on November 4.
The Hoops then face Bayer Leverkusen at 5.45pm on November 25 before rounding off their group stage campaign against Real Betis on December 9 at 8pm.
There are no guarantees that away fans will be allocated tickets for matches, with UEFA likely to communicate further on the topic shortly.