Celtic will discover their UEFA Champions League play-off opponents on Monday, 3 August, when the draw takes place in Nyon at 5pm (UK time).
Martin O’Neill’s side are seeded for the draw and have several possible opponents standing between them and a place in the lucrative 36-team league phase.
One of the most intriguing possibilities is a reunion with Kairat Almaty. The Kazakh champions must first overcome Levski Sofia in the third qualifying round. If they do, they could be paired with Celtic.
That would hand Celtic an immediate opportunity for revenge after Kairat ended their Champions League qualifying campaign last season. Many supporters would relish the chance to put that disappointment behind them.
The other possible opponents are LASK, Viking Stavanger, the winners of AGF Aarhus versus Sabah, or the winners of NK Celje versus Ararat-Armenia.
Kairat reunion would add extra spice
Kairat are far from guaranteed to reach the play-off round.
They must first eliminate Levski Sofia over two legs.
If they progress, they will become one of Celtic’s possible opponents in Monday’s draw.
That would create an immediate opportunity for Martin O’Neill’s side to avenge last season’s painful European exit.
Monday’s draw comes before every opponent is known
An unusual feature of this year’s draw is its timing.
Celtic will learn their play-off pairing before every third qualifying round tie has been completed.
Instead of drawing a specific club, UEFA could pair Celtic with the eventual winners of one of those ties.
The remaining third qualifying round fixtures are:
- Tuesday 4 August and Wednesday 5 August – First legs
- Tuesday 11 August – Second legs
That means Celtic may not know the exact identity of their opponents until a week after Monday’s draw.
Key Champions League dates
The important dates are:
- Monday 3 August – Play-off draw (5pm UK)
- 4-5 August – Third qualifying round first legs
- 11 August – Third qualifying round second legs
- 18-19 August – Play-off first legs
- 25-26 August – Play-off second legs
- Thursday 27 August – Champions League league phase draw
Victory over two legs would send Celtic into the 36-team Champions League league phase.
Defeat would see Martin O’Neill’s side continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
Registration deadline could shape Celtic’s transfer plans
The transfer window remains open after Monday’s draw.
That gives Celtic valuable time to strengthen Martin O’Neill’s squad.
UEFA’s registration rules are equally important.
The main squad list must be submitted before the play-off round.
However, UEFA allows clubs to register up to two additional eligible players until 11.59pm CET on the day before their first leg.
If Celtic play on Tuesday, 18 August, the final day to register a new signing will be Monday, 17 August.
If UEFA schedule Celtic for Wednesday, 19 August, the deadline moves to Tuesday, 18 August.
That gives Celtic almost two weeks after Monday’s draw to complete any remaining transfer business before the biggest European matches of the season.
Supporters will hope any new arrivals are secured well before those crucial UEFA deadlines.