Manchester United’s defeat in last nights Europa League final has confirmed that Celtic will be facing one of three opponents when they enter the Champions League qualifiers at the second round stage.
Last night, the English side took on Villarreal and were taken all the way to extra-time and penalties where, dramatically, United keeper David De Gea was the man to miss the decisive penalty and allow the Spaniards to lift the trophy.
Although it might not seem like a game that would have any effect on Scottish Football, it confirmed that Celtic would be facing one of three opponents.
Rapid Vienna
Midtjylland
Galatasaray
In the event that United was to come out victories, Celtic wouldn’t have had to possibly face Galatasaray. Now though, the Turkish side is in the mix of teams Celtic could face in their opening round of CL qualifying games.
There is always a lot at stake in these fixtures but it feels like even more so this season. A win in the second round of qualifying would secure the Hoops, at the very least Europa League football next season.
The draw for this round takes place on the 16th of June, with the two-legged tie being played on the 20/21 and 27/28 of July.
There is a lot of work to do before then both on and off the field, which fingers crossed, we are well into by now.
