Celtic will have to overcome Slavia Prague to reach the group phase of the Champions League IF they see off Cluj in the third qualifying round.
After being informed of the draw Neil Lennon will return his full focus to Wednesday’s match in Romania as he attempts to go one better than Brendan Rodgers managed last season.
Slavia came straight into the Champions League at the Play-Off stage based on the co-efficient of the Czech Republic and performed well in last season’s Europa League., reaching the last eight of the competition.
After qualifying from a group that also included Bordeaux, Zenit St Petersburg and Copenhagen they saw off Genk on a 4-1 aggregate, beat Sevilla 6-5 before losing out 5-3 to eventual winners Chelsea.
Two years ago Celtic drew 0-0 with Slavia in the Sinobo Stadium in a match to commemorate former Celtic Johnny Madden who is credited with being the man that took football to Prague, becoming the first manager of Slavia in 1905.
Although they haven’t been involved in any Champions League qualifiers so far Slavia are four matches into their defence of the title, starting out with three wins before drawing 0-0 away to Karfina.
In-between the two legs of the Champions League Play Off Slavia have a local derby with Bohemians.
If #CelticFC progress in the #UCL, they will face @slaviaofficial in the @ChampionsLeague play-off round. pic.twitter.com/yQRbdWoTZB
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 5, 2019
That’s not how you spell Rosenborg lads
— Damon Weir the Champions (@DamonW44) August 5, 2019
We’re capable of beating them !! ????
— B (@clydebankceltic) August 5, 2019
Shambles that we never payed uefa to get Rosenberg #lennonout #lawellout
— BarryCFC (@BarryMu55129985) August 5, 2019
Nothing to fear from them or Cluj, get our right back in and let’s do this
— Sean Hamilton (@seanhammy85) August 5, 2019
The fourth victims on route to Istanbul
— Daniel Gallagher (@_dgallagher99) August 5, 2019
So when do we play Rosenberg?
— Richard Murphy (@RichardMurphy80) August 5, 2019
Group stages! #glasshalffullCSC
— H Paul O’Donnell (@HPaulODonnell) August 5, 2019
Prague will be thinking this is the hardest tie, we beat Barcelona under Lennon, and we have a better squad compared to then anything is possible.
— Darren (@DarrenCoote2) August 5, 2019
Celtic or Cluj will play Slavia Prague in the CL playoff round. We are scheduled to be at home first. Games played on the 20th/21st and 27th/28th August.
That’s a tough draw.
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 5, 2019