CELTIC will face either PSV Eindhoven or Galatasaray in the Champions League third qualifying round – if, of course, they beat FC Midtjylland at the second stage.
The Hoops were paired with either the Dutch aces or the Turkish giants in the draw in Nyon this morning.
It is an intriguing prospect, but Ange Postecoglou will order his troops to take care of business when they kick off their campaign tomorrow night against the Danes at Parkhead with the return due eight days later.
The first leg of the third round qualifiers will take place on August 3/4 with the return a week later. If the Hoops make progress, they will have only one more round to clear to make it through to the money-spinning group stages that could be worth around £40million this season.
However, if the Hoops fail to overcome the Danes, they will face Czech Republic outfit FK Jablonec in the Europa League third qualifying round. On a brighter note, if Postecoglou can guide his team past FC Midtjylland, then the club’s European future is clear. The losers in the third qualiying stage of the top tournament will parachute straight into the group stages of the Europa League.
The Hoops have not made the most of home advantage in recent seasons and last time around they were sent crashing from the Champions League following a 2-1 loss against Ferencvaros while AC Milan (3-1) and Slavia Prague (4-1) walloped Neil Lennon’s men. There was a solitary Europa League success over eventual French title winners Lille when David Turnbull struck the winner in a 3-2 victory.
