Celtic go into the Europa League group stage draw at 11am this morning after a fraught but not torrid night in Alkmaar.
Kyogo Furuhashi put Celtic 3-0 in front in the third minute against the Dutch side but by the 26th minute that was a single goal lead with the four minutes of stoppage time taking an age to complete.
None of that matters when the draw gets underway with the hoops facing a nightmare/dream draw of Napoli, Marseille/West Ham and Galatasaray/Rapid Vienna/Legia Warsaw with Ange Postecoglou’s side in Pot 2. Alternatively another possible grouping would be Braga, Sparta Prague (again) and Sturm Graz.
1. Here are the almost complete pots for tomorrow’s EL group stage draw.
One game left to finish in the EL playoff round, but it whoever wins will be Pot 4.
Some good teams in there, so potential for yet another tough group. pic.twitter.com/LJWQBUhxJE
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 26, 2021
Antwerp came through on penalties in that final tie.
At this stage last season Celtic were in pot 1 but came out with AC Milan, Lille and Slavia Prague.
The opening matchday is on Thursday September 16 with five more fixtures ensuring that there will barely be a free midweek before Christmas other than at international breaks.
CLICK HERE for draw details in full.
2. Calendar for the games attached. Not sure if we’ll have a free midweek before Christmas now, between Europe and Internationals.
We have until midnight next Thursday to submit our squad, and can make as many changes as we need within the usual squad limits/rules. pic.twitter.com/KiJTcJT3ne
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 26, 2021
