Celtic are one step closer to finding out their opponents in the Champions League Play Off.
The prospect of a re-match against Kairat Almaty remains.
Martin O’Neill’s side will be seeded for Monday’s draw but that only marginally increases their chances of progress.
LASK of Austria and Viking of Norway are potential opponents.
Both will present a strong challenge even if their names don’t carry much of a pedigree.
LASK finished above Sturm Graz who dismantled Hearts 6-0.
Viking finished above Bodo Glimt last season and are halfway through their current campaign.
DANGER LURKS IN ALL OF CELTIC’S POTENTIAL OPPONENTS
The remaining three possible opponents will have to come through the Third Qualifying Round which takes place over the next two midweeks.
Kairat face Levski Sofia for a Play Off slot. AGF of Denmark take on Sabah of Azerbaijan with either Celje of Slovenia or Ararat-Armenia in the other tie.
Red Star Belgrade, Dinamo Zagreb, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Athens join Celtic in the seeded part of the draw.
The Play Off draw takes place on Monday allowing Celtic a fortnight to prepare for two matches that will shape much of the season.
Viking look to be the toughest opponents, trailing Bodo by one point in the Norwegian League with a game less played.
With a record of missing out in seven of their last nine attempts to qualify for the Champions League the warnings are there for Celtic.
With Scotland’s co-efficient dropping rapidly this season’s Champions League route is relatively straightforward.
Next season the SPFL champions will go into the Second Round draw.
For three season’s running the SPFL champions had an automatic place in the group stage.
Only sustained success by two or more clubs will reverse the trend to provide an easier route to the group stage.
Scotland is currently in 20th place, well below Cyprus, Norway and Hungary.
The Play Off ties takes place on August 18/19 and 25/26 with the five winners guaranteed eight Champions League matches.
The losers get a consolation payment of around £5m and a place in the Europa League.
Does the bent agreement mean that we deliberately lose to our play off opponents to keep Sevco relevant…
They certainly wouldn’t fu**in do it for us !