Celtic’s Champions League Challenge
Celtic have been drawn against LASK, the Austrian champions, in the play-off round of the Champions League. This draw positions them for a crucial two-legged tie to determine their progression in the competition. The first leg is scheduled to be played at Celtic’s home ground on either 18 or 19 August, with the return fixture taking place the following week.
LASK secured their domestic title for the second time last season, marking their first championship victory since 1965. Like Celtic, LASK earned a direct qualification to this play-off stage. While the Austrian side has a lower coefficient than some potential opponents such as Celje, the Austrian league itself holds a significantly higher ranking compared to Slovenia’s league.
The draw for Celtic could have included other teams such as Viking Stavanger, Ararat-Armenia, Kairat Almaty, Levski Sofia, AGF Aarhus, or Sabah. However, the encounter with Dietmar Kuhbauer’s LASK is considered a challenging match-up for the Scottish club.
Europa League and Conference League Prospects
For other Scottish clubs, the European draws also outlined their potential paths. Rangers will face the winner of the tie between Larne, the Northern Irish champions, and Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia in the Europa League play-offs. This will only occur if Rangers successfully overcome Jagiellonia Bialystok of Poland in their current qualifying round.
Should Rangers fail to advance in the Europa League qualifying, they would then compete in the Conference League play-offs, where they would meet either Jablonec of the Czech Republic or RFS of Latvia. Rangers are set to play the first leg of their Europa League play-off at home on 20 August.
Heart of Midlothian, having moved to the Europa League after a loss to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying, will play against either AGF Aarhus of Denmark or Sabah of Azerbaijan. This fixture is contingent on Hearts defeating Benfica. If Hearts are unsuccessful against Benfica, the Edinburgh team will then enter the Conference League play-off round, where their opponents would be either Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia or Rapid Vienna of Austria.
Similar to Rangers, Hearts would also host the first leg of their Europa League play-off on 20 August if they progress. If they drop into the Conference League play-offs, they would also be at home on that date for their first leg.
Further Scottish Club Engagements
Motherwell has been drawn against Freiburg, a German Bundesliga side. Freiburg were finalists in last season’s Europa League, where they were beaten by Aston Villa. Motherwell’s match against Freiburg is dependent on them first defeating HJK Helsinki of Finland. If Motherwell advances, they will also have the advantage of playing their first leg at home.
Meanwhile, Hibernian will face either IFK Gothenburg of Sweden or Gent of Belgium. This tie will proceed if Hibernian manages to oust Shkendija of Macedonia. Unlike Motherwell, Hibernian’s first leg in this potential play-off would be an away fixture.
The upcoming European play-off rounds present significant challenges and opportunities for the Scottish clubs involved, with crucial matches scheduled throughout August.
Source: bbc.co.uk