Celtic will face a crucial double-header against Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis in the last two games of their Europa League group.
The Bhoys will kick off their Europa League campaign in Seville’s imposing Estadio Benito Villamarín, the home of Real Betis, on the 16th of September. After that, on the 30th, a raucous Celtic Park hosts Jeremie Frimpong’s return as Bayer Leverkusen visit.
Home and away ties against last season’s Champions League foes Ferencvaros follow. The Hungarians, now managed by ex-Dortmund boss Peter Stöger, have added Zeljko Gavric and former Rosenborg man Kristoffer Zachariassen to their ranks for this season.
Provided Celtic do the business against Ferencvaros, the group crescendos with a vital double-header. A trip to the iconic BayArena on the 25th of November awaits. Then it’s – crucially – a chance to best Betis at home when the 9th of December rolls around.
Quite the schedule, then.
With a mirror-image line-up of fixtures, it harkens back to the early 00s. Playing Real Betis first and last represents a real opportunity for Celtic to lay down a marker, before Bayer Leverkusen come to town.
Celtic supporters will then be hoping to secure maximum points from both Ferencvaros games. While the Bhoys are improved, though, it’s worth remembering how it went last time we played the Green Eagles.
And yes, that really is their nickname.
Gruelling, but achievable: our take on Celtic in the Europa League
Certainly, Celtic could’ve had harder teams to face at this point. But underrating any of our three opponents is surely something Celtic cannot afford to do.
And, being honest, it’s not as if we’ve earned the right to underestimate anyone on the European stage. With a manager like Postecoglou at the helm, complacency is surely not on the agenda.
It’d be hard to argue Bayer Leverkusen don’t represent the biggest challenge. They’ve recruited excellently, bringing in players like Patrick Schick (“Ain’t no way!”), as well as former reported Celtic targets Piero Hincapié and Mitchel Bakker.
That’s a lot of quality. Despite having to sell Leon Bailey to Aston Villa, there are still plenty of threats in that team. Beating them at home in the second round of fixtures, then, would be a real achievement.
In any event, it’s great to look forward to European action at Celtic Park once more. How we missed getting to the games, even on cold, rainy East End nights.
You just know these fixtures are going to deliver.
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