Celtic know who they’ll face in UEFA Champions League qualifying should they overcome Estonian champions Nomme Kalju.
Seeded in Monday’s draw, the Hoops managed to avoid the big horror team in the unseeded section – PAOK of Greece.
Celtic went out to Greek opposition last year and wouldn’t have fancied a tie against the reigning Super League champions, who drew last season’s semi-finalists Ajax.
Neil Lennon’s side will first face Nomme Kalju of Estonia on Wednesday night at Celtic Park, hoping to build a substantial lead before travelling away for the second leg next week.
If they successfully navigate that two-legged affair they will play Cluj or Maccabi for the first time in their long European history.
Cluj were group stage regulars in the Champions League and Europa League between 2008 and 2012 but haven’t made it past qualifying in either competition since then.
Maccabi meanwhile have more recent history as a group stage team, but missed out on the Europa League last season in the play-off round.
The Scottish champions have so far managed to overcome Bosnian side FK Sarajevo, winning 5-2 on aggregate after victories at home and abroad.
As the second highest ranked team in the Champions Route, Celtic have a good chance of making the group stages of the competition for the first time since 2017.
Signings have been slow so far this summer but having spent good money on Christopher Jullien and Boli Bolingoli, as well as recruiting Luca Connell, it’s clear that the club are out to strengthen ahead of the difficult tests ahead.
Reacting to the draw, some fans are hopeful of progression while others are urging the club to get critical signings in the door as quickly as possible.
These supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
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