Every game Celtic will play before and after Champions League play-off fixtures

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Celtic have discovered that they will play one of Kairat Almaty or Slovan Bratislava in their Champions League play-off tie.

Brendan Rodgers’ side discovered their opponents in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday 4 August where Celtic were handed a favourable draw.

Almaty of Kazakhstan would be the lowest-ranked side in the competition and in last season’s competition, Celtic hammered Bratislava.

Fans are buzzing with Celtic’s draw and now plans will be made in the event of travelling to Kazakhstan or Slovakia.

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Celtic to face Rangers after Champions League play-off second leg

Thankfully for the Hoops, two of the three games are very favourable.

Before the first leg, which will take place at Celtic Park on 19/20 August, they will face Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup on Friday 15 August.

The weekend after the first leg of the Champions League play-off game will then see the Hoops take on Livingston at home in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday 23 August.

Celtic’s second leg fixture will then be on either 26/27 August before the first Glasgow derby of the season against Rangers on 31 August.

That means there is a genuine possibility that Celtic could make a 5692km journey to Almaty in Kazakhstan just four days before facing off against Rangers.

Celtic would prefer to play Slovan Bratislava

Kairat may be the lower-ranked side, but the travel logistics they must overcome to reach Central Asia are far more impractical in the build-up to a game against Rangers.

Bratislava are on paper the tougher test, but, the Bhoys know they can outplay them and get the win.

Winning the first leg at Parkhead by a comfortable margin would be crucial for either game so that legs can be rested ahead of the trip to Ibrox.