Celtic’s European journey could see club come up against former development player Antons Kurakins

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Next up for Celtic in the Europa League is either a journey to Riga or Tre Fiori in the third qualifying round.

To a large extent, it’s a journey into the unknown as we get set to face a team we never have done in Europe before.

Riga and Tre Fiori will clash with each other on September 17th for the right to host the Hoops, in what will undoubtedly be considered a glamour tie for either side.

However, should the Latvian champions Riga manage to knock out their San Marino-based opponents, Celtic will come up against one of their former players as well as a previous foe – Antons Kurakins.

The name may not jump out to many, and that would make sense. The Latvian international was signed by Gordon Strachan back in 2008 and spent three years in the development squad before leaving the club without making an appearance.

Kurakins did get game-time in Scotland

He later returned to Scotland four years later and played for Hamilton for one year. During that time, Celtic actually came up against their former academy youngster on three separate occasions.

Kurakins was part of a Hamilton side who notably suffered an 8-1 mauling at Celtic Park off of Ronny Deila’s side. However, he did manage to gain something against us later that season as Accies held us to a 1-1 draw at New Douglas Park. Kurakins played 90 minutes in both matches. The other match ended in a 2-1 win for the Hoops in which he also played the full 90.

Since then, he’s failed to add to any of the eight appearances he’s made for the Latvia national team. He’s been with Riga ever since his spell with Hamilton, and has now managed to accumulate 80 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt).

Outside of Kurakins, there are no other notable names that have a connection with the Hoops. There are also no names that should stand-out whatsoever in either of Riga’s or Tre Fiori’s squads.

Regardless of who we face in the third qualifying round, defeat is an incomprehensible thought. Neither should be up to Celtic’s standard, but then again, we’ve said that before.

In other news, Celtic need to make a big decision on one player, and it isn’t as straightforward as some think.