Celtic handed tough Champions League qualifying path after drawing Slavia Prague… but Neil Lennon’s men still need to beat CFR Cluj to set up clash with Czech champions
- Celtic drawn against Slavia Prague in next Champions League qualifying round
- Neil Lennon’s men still need to beat CFR Cluj over two legs to face Slavia Prague
- The Czech champions pushed Chelsea in Europa League quarter-final last year
Celtic have been handed one of the toughest paths possible if they are to secure their return to the Champions League group stages.
If Neil Lennon’s men beat CFR Cluj over two legs in the third qualifying round, they will face Czech champions Slavia Prague next.
The potential clash with last year’s Europa League quarter-finalists was one they will have wanted to avoid at Monday’s draw in Nyon.
Celtic were handed one of the toughest Champions League qualifying paths possible
Slavia pushed Chelsea close in two games last year, losing 1-0 at home before a 4-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge saw them bow out 5-3 on aggregate.
For the time being Celtic’s minds are firmly focused on Cluj, who they face in the first leg in Romania on Wednesday.
If Celtic overcome Cluj, they will be at least guarantee a place in the Europa League group stages should they be defeated by Slavia.
If last year’s semi-finalists Ajax overcome PAOK Salonika, they will face either Apoel of Cyprus or Qarabag of Azerbaijan.
Slavia Prague pushed Chelsea all the way in the Europa League quarter-finals last season