Celtic and Rangers Champions League play-off opponents and dates confirmed

Celtic and Rangers have had the identity of their Champions League play-off opponents confirmed and dates for the crucial matches have been announced.

The Premiership sides both stand just one tie away from the prestigious League Phase of the elite competition, and the multi-million pound boost that participation brings.

To reach that stage, and guarantee ten high-profile and lucrative matches against sides from across the continent, the teams need to come out on top in two-legged qualifying ties over the next fortnight, and details of those ties are now confirmed.

Celtic go straight into the play-off round as Premiership champions and will face Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty, who defeated Slovan Bratislava on penalties to reach the play-off stage.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will look to build a lead in the first leg at Celtic Park next Wednesday, with that match having an 8pm kick-off time. The return match will take place in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, August 26 and starts at 5.45pm UK time.

Rangers have come through ties against Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen to reach the play-off and their reward is a tie against Club Brugge.

The teams drew 2-2 in a summer friendly last month but the stakes will be higher when they meet in the first leg at Ibrox on Tuesday, August 19, with the match kicking off at 8pm.

The away leg will take place at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on Wednesday, August 27, again starting at 8pm UK time.