Things haven’t exactly been going swimmingly at Celtic since we secured a third successive treble. We’ve seen fan apathy at the choice of Neil Lennon as the club’s new manager, a leaked document containing some crucial summer transfer targets and the whole David Turnbull saga.
However, one piece of good news has arrived in the shape of our early European draws. Over the past couple of days we’ve found out the first few sides standing between ourselves and the Champions League group stage.
We will start the season with a tie against FK Sarajevo. The fixtures are yet to be totally confirmed but we are expected to host the Bosnian champions first before travelling away a week later.
If we navigate past Sarajevo we will face either Nomme Kalju or Shkendija in the second qualifying round. Again, the first leg is expected to be at Celtic Park.
Verdict
Celtic have been handed a relatively favourable draw on the face of things. Sarajevo are one of the trickier unseeded sides we could have faced in the opening round but we should still be good enough to see them off.
Last season, Celtic drew Rosenborg in the second qualifying round. The Norwegians put up a decent enough fight before being defeated 3-1 on aggregate. They bounced into the Europa League and thumped Shkendija 5-1 on aggregate.
The disparity between the Norwegians and the Macedonians shows that Celtic have got it much easier this time round.
Reality
If Celtic can’t see off the champions of Bosnia and either Estonia or Macedonia then there’s something massively wrong. We have far bigger budgets and better players than these sides and should show that on the pitch.
Celtic may not know a great deal about their future opponents but one thing’s for sure – there’s not a great deal to fear.
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