Celtic have been handed a tough draw in the Champions League group stage.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney celebrates
Celtic defender Kieran Tierney has told the club’s official website that he is looking forward to playing in the Champions League this season.
The Scottish Premiership champions will feature in the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition during the 2016-17 campaign.
Brendan Rodgers’s side have been drawn against Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach in Group C.
It will not be easy for Celtic to progress from the group, but left-back Tierney is looking forward to the challenge.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney
The 19-year-old Scotland international has also reflected on the time he watched Barcelona against Celtic four years ago.
“It’s a great draw with three great teams and that’s why you’re in the Champions League – to play the best,” Tierney told Celtic’s official website.
“We’re always hopeful. We’ll prepare ourselves right and do the right work on the training field and anything can happen.
“Qualifying is the hard part as we go through six games to get there, but we’ve done very well to get through that and now it’s about focusing on the group.”
“It’ll be a first for me as I missed out on the game in Ireland (International Champions Cup) so I’m really looking forward to it,” added the teenager about facing Barcelona.
“I remember sitting in the corner with a ball in my hand and just looking at the ball thinking, ‘This is brilliant’. Four years later and I’m dying to play in a group like that.”
Kieran Tierney celebrates
Barcelona and City are favourites to progress from Group C, while Celtic will be expected to fight with Bundesliga outfit Monchengladbach for the Europa League spot.
However, Celtic fans should remain optimistic about the team pushing Barca and the Citizens hard.
The Hoops are going strong in the Scottish Premiership this season and are favourites to clinch the league title.
The Glasgow giants will take on Aberdeen at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney celebrates winning the Scottish Premiership
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