Which teams can Celtic face in the UCL qualifying rounds?

Qualifying Round 2 – August 25 and 26

As above, let’s remember here the assumption that it’s the seeded rather than non seeded teams that win through to the next round. Another one legged tie.

Some tough opponents potentially here, but then nobody said it was easy… A particularly tough draw could be FC Midtjylland. They are the worthy Danish league champions featuring Erik Sviatchenko in their squad and as their skipper. Are they any good? Should we fear them? Well they won the league by 14 points ahead of Copenhagen, remember them from last year? For a change we have an advantage in terms of season start dates.

Often Celtic find themselves playing teams in qualifiers who are a third or more through their season, while the hoops haven’t even kicked off theirs. The tables turn as the Danish SuperLiga isn’t due to kick off until mid September so Erik’s squad might be short of recent match fitness.

Our definite fun away game would be to Dundalk, that would appeal to many supporters and in normal times be simpler than a home match for many others. Had an away trip been possible it might have been a hot tip to buy shares in Guinness!

This does also shows some of the diversity and range of potential opponents as that should be a more comfortable draw for Neil Lennon’s squad than the Danish league winners or Ferencvaros of Hungary, another possible 2nd round opponent.