Celtic have been drawn alongside Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.
New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is presented to the fans after the press conference
Former player and current pundit Jamie Carragher believes Celtic have been handed a brilliant Champions League draw as reward for progressing through the qualifying rounds, the Daily Mail report.
The Hoops have been handed what many are considering the group of death – drawing La Liga champions Barcelona, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.
While some may consider it rotten luck for the Scottish Premiership champions, others such as Carragher feel the draw is reward for Brendan Rodgers and his side making the group stages.
Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths celebrates scoring their third goal
The former Liverpool defender makes the point that as Celtic are not likely to win the competition, surely pitting their wits against the very best in the group stage is what it is all about.
“Brendan wasn’t appointed to win the SPL, he was brought in to give Celtic fans the big European nights they relish and the draw they have been handed is the perfect reward. It’s been said this is a nightmare but I couldn’t disagree more,” Carragher wrote in the Daily Mail.
“Are Celtic going to win the Champions League? No. What’s the point, then, of being in a group where the games are low key and you are looking to see what Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are doing? Wouldn’t you much rather be involved in occasions against them?”
“Celtic have got a brilliant draw. A trip to the Nou Camp, a Battle of Britain with Manchester City and a clash with Borussia Monchengladbach are all games their supporters will embrace.”
Celtic’s Scott Brown celebrates scoring their fifth goal
Celtic have managed to navigate themselves through a Champions League group containing Barcelona before, yet having City in the mix too makes their task of progression seemingly impossible.
The Hoops have little pressure on them to make an impact in Europe though Rodgers will without doubt want to see the Glasgow side put in some respectable performances.
Celtic’s first game is a trip to the Nou Camp where they will face Barcelona on 13 September.
Nou Camp Barcelona
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