
Celtic discover Champions League play-off opponents
A two-legged tie against the Kazakhs stands between the Celtic Park club and a slice of the £40m pie that league phase football in the UCL would provide, as it did last season.
Celtic will play at home first, having been drawn out of the hat as the host club for the first leg.
That game will be played on Wednesday, August 20, with an 8pm kick-off, as per UEFA's website.
The return leg is set to take place six days later on Tuesday, August 26, also with an 8pm kick-off.
Celtic are guaranteed league phase football in Europe this season, as if the Scottish Premiership champions fail to advance then they would drop into the Europa League.
More to follow.

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