Confusion surrounding Celtic’s Champions League qualifier
By Kade Kistner
Celtic are awaiting news of where the Champions League match between themselves and KR Reykjavic will be held later this month.
Celtic have a long road ahead of them when it comes to making the UEFA Champions League Group Stage for this first time in three seasons. The first step in making it into the group stages is making it through the first qualifying round.
This first round will be against Icelandic-side KR Reykjavic and the Hoops will obviously hope to make it through to the second qualifying round. This season these qualifying matches will be one match and winner takes all. Unlike previous seasons where there was a home and an away tie these matches will hold much more implications.
Even just being able to play at home without worry of travel could be the deciding factor in who advances. That being said, there is still some discussion into where the match will be played. While it would make sense for the match to be played at Celtic Park, UEFA still has to approve the action.
Speaking with the Evening Press this is what Hoops manager Neil Lennon had to say about the upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifying match:
"“Hopefully it will be at home. We are not sure if the game is going to be at a neutral venue or not. Hopefully it is at Celtic Park and we will be delighted if it’s at home. That’s all we can ask for and we will take it from there.”"
After a disappointing draw to Kilmarnock so early in the season Celtic fans gave begun to ask questions about the legitimacy of this squad. A one up top formation was played after a 3-5-2 formation had worked so well last season.
Fans and supporters could use a massive win in Champions League qualification in order to help regain confidence in the club.