Having missed out on the Champions League after defeat in qualifying to AEK Athens, Celtic at least confirmed their place in the Europa League with victory against FK Suduva of Lithuania on Thursday evening.
The second-tier of European football may not be ideal for the champions of Scotland – and they will certainly miss the Champions League TV money – but at least it’s a competition where they have a strong chance of advancing past the group stage and perhaps even making forays deep into the knockouts.
Before we get carried away, however, it’s time to assess who they’ll face in the group. With the Europa League group stage draw done and dusted, here are the teams.
Group B – in full
FC Salzburg
Celtic
RB Leipzig
Rosenborg BK
Fixture schedule
Matchday 1: Thursday 20 September
Matchday 2: Thursday 4 October
Matchday 3: Thursday 25 October
Matchday 4: Thursday 8 November
Matchday 5: Thursday 29 November
Matchday 6: Thursday 13 November
(More information TBC)
The opponents
FC Salzburg could be tough opponents for Celtic, having made it to the Europa League semi-finals last term. Champions of Austria for the last five seasons, they beat Real Sociedad, Borussia Dortmund and Lazio in the Europa knockouts before succumbing to eventual finalists Marseille.
Salzburg will not be the only Red Bull-owned club in Group B, with Celtic also set to face RB Leipzig. Salzburg and Leipzig were a controversial double inclusion in the Europa League last time out, with Uefa essentially bending their rules prohibiting partner clubs from competing in the same competition.
Norwegian champions Rosenborg complete the group.
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