Celtic draw FC Midtjylland in Champions League qualifiers

Celtic have been drawn to play FC Midtjylland in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

The games will be new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s first competitive matches in charge. The first leg will be in Glasgow on July 20/21 with the return match in Denmark a week later.

The Premiership runners-up have to get through three rounds if they are to reach the group stage. Celtic’s previous European record means that they will be seeded in the draw for the next round if they progress but unseeded in the play-off round.

Danish side Midtjylland are in the competition as Superliga runners-up, narrowly missing out on the title after finishing a point behind Brondby.

Managed by Bo Henriksen, Midtjylland have former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko in their squad.

For Celtic, the match will be the first of a new era at the club after a number of changes over the summer. Postecoglou has taken charge after leaving Yokohama F Marinos to become Neil Lennon’s permnanent successor as manager, while club captain Scott Brown has departed for Aberdeen and a several of last year’s side have returned to their parent clubs after loan spells.

The Parkhead club last reached the group stage of the competition in the 2017/18 season , losing qualifiers to AEK Athens, CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros in the last three seasons.