Celtic announce potential dates for highly significant fixtures

By John Reid

July 12, 2019

Celtic have announced the provisional dates for two very significant fixtures. The club announced on Twitter that should the Hoops manage to defeat Sarajevo in the Champions League first round, the first leg of the second round will take place at Celtic Park on the 24th of July.

The second leg will take place six days later on the 30th of July.

Potential opponents from North Macedonia

(ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Celtic are big favourites to reach the second round, as they hold a 3-1 lead over Sarajevo. It seems likely that the Hoops will play North Macedonian side Shkendija, who hold a 1-0 lead over Kalju going into the second leg.

Should the Hoops end up playing Shkendija, it will not be an easy tie. The qualifying rounds of the Champions League never are. However, it is a tie that Celtic would have taken before the draw.

First leg at home is slight irritation

(ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Playing the first leg away from home is a slight irritation. However, Celtic will be looking for an emphatic victory in the first leg to make the away tie a formality.

The second round games will come at a hectic time of the season for Celtic, with the first league match of the season only five days after the second leg.

That is why a team has such a big squad though. Neil Lennon will be confident that his players will be able to handle the relentless early season schedule.