Celtic have added two more matches onto their pre-season trip to Austria.
On July 3 Ronny Deila’s side will take on Krasnodar before facing the more familiar name of Dukla Prague on July 11 in their final warm up before entering the second qualifying round for the Champions League.
Matches against Linsk, Rapid Vienna, Dinamo Dresden and Spurs (in Helsinki) have already been scheduled with the latest matches appearing on the website of Global Sports which covers all matches in Austria.
It’s 12 years since Celtic went to Austria to prepare for the new season with Martin O’Neill’s side going all the way to the final of the UEFA Cup in Seville at the end of the season.
In 2002 Celtic played two local sides plus Werder Bremen but this years trip is much more extensive giving Deila the opportunity to view as many players as possible.
The trip will also allow the Norwegian time to get to know his new management team of John Collins and John Kennedy.
Deila may take the opportunity to take a look at Champions League opponents if it is convenient with the draw taking place on June 23.
Celtic will be seeded in the draw but the lack of unseeded eastern European sides could cause a problem for UEFA.
The second round is traditionally drawn on georgraphical grounds with Celtic being paired with Cliftonville from Belfast.
Cliftonville are again included in the second round draw alongside St Pat’s from Dublin, New Saints of Wales and the champions of Iceland, Faroe Isles, Sweden and Norway.
Only HJK Helsinki and Celtic are seeded- alongside five non-seeded clubs from the same geographical area.
In previous years Stromsgodset and Malmo would likely be seeded but the decline of Norwegian and Swedish football could force UEFA into re-drawing the boundaries to maintain the geographical nature of the second round draw to prevent smaller clubs from being hit with expensive trips across Europe.
CLICK HERE for Bert’s European seedings bible
