\nGroup 1
\nFC Salzburg (AUT)
\nKR Reykjav\u00edk (ISL)\/Celtic FC (SCO)
\nFC BATE Borisov (BLR)\/KS Sk\u00ebnderbeu (ALB)
\nGNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)\/VMFD \u017dalgiris (LTU)
\nFC Sheriff (MDA) v FK Sutjeska (MNE)
\n<\/strong>Legia Warszawa (POL)\/Saint Patrick’s Athletic (IRL)
\nCliftonville FC (NIR)\/Debreceni VSC (HUN)
\n\u0160K Slovan Bratislava (SVK)\/The New Saints FC (WAL)
\nValletta FC (MLT)\/Qaraba\u011f FK (AZE)
\nAalborg BK (DEN)<\/p>\n
Group 2<\/strong> \u00a0So, our “region ” stretches from Ireland to Azerbaijan, which you have to say pretty much covers the waterfront where Europe is concerned. More worryingly, we won’t be playing a Swedish side this year, which means our routine is all gone to pot, and the players will not be able to cope.<\/p>\n \u00a0The game at Murrayfield looks a formality, but we’ve all seen that film before, so while it is difficult to focus on that one, everyone needs to forget about what happens in the draw until we actually secure a place in it.<\/p>\n Especially with defender Efe Ambrose exuding the same confidence he did the last time he went away with Nigeria and turned up a little close to kick off for an important game.<\/p>\n \u201cI spent three days in Nigeria after the World Cup.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThen I had to fly back here to get a visa for the game in Iceland. That was all the holiday I had \u2013 three days. What did I do?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI played football, of course. I always like to go back and see the team where I started, Adams Babes. Sometimes I like to train and play matches with them but I didn\u2019t have time to do that.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSo it was just a kickabout, really, so that people could see me.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI started like them and they like it when a player comes back.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt motivates them to keep trying. I try to encourage them as I have never forgotten my roots.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \n Which is all very commendable, but Ambrose has us on the edge of our seats at the best of times. sometimes even when he’s miles from the action. He worries me. And theres other stuff to worry about where these games are concerned..<\/p>\n \u201cHe wants another kind of creativity in the team and a new way of playing.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe wants us to keep the ball more and move it quicker.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe style might suit me. Every manager likes a defender who can keep the ball and drive with it. That is a bonus.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think the new manager wants defenders with confidence to keep possession so I feel positive about that.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Anyone else think he might be, er , discouraged from his mazy wing play this season. and anyone else think he won’t take a blind bit of notice ?<\/p>\n Back to Tuesdays game, and the unfamiliar surroundings of the home of Rugby may not be to everyones liking, but Davie Hay, former player, manager and all round good guy, called it right when he said, in his evening times column;<\/p>\n I don’t think it would matter where Celtic played the second leg of this tie, they would still beat Reykjavik and get through to the next round.<\/em><\/p>\n “The positive of playing at Murrayfield next week is that they will have a chance to get used to it for the home leg of the third qualifying round.<\/em><\/p>\n “The opposition in that round will be tougher and it is an advantage to Celtic to have a game under their belt in Edinburgh before that tie.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The fans will have a chance to get used to it as well as the players.<\/em><\/p>\n “You won’t recreate the Parkhead atmosphere, you are not going to fill Murrayfield in these early rounds.<\/em><\/p>\n “But it will be interesting to see what the crowd is. It is part of the season ticket so we will see how many turn up.<\/em><\/p>\n “Obviously everyone wants to see a good crowd for what is an important match.<\/em><\/p>\n “If the opposition had been better, that might have had an effect on the crowd.<\/em><\/p>\n “I think the 25,000 mark is the kind of crowd we should be anticipating.<\/em><\/p>\n “But Celtic are laying on reduced priced transport from Glasgow which is good and will hopefully allow as many people as possible to make the game.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I’m a little more optimistic that there’ll be above 25,000 there. You’d hope so. Murrayfield is a big ground, and anything less than about 45,000 will affect the players. There was enough nervousness last week. We could do without it this week as well.<\/p>\n \u00a0Celtic have indeed put on all sorts of extra travel options for Tuesday, and again, if you’ve not sorted out any ticket issues yet, please do so now. We’ll remind you of the options on Monday.<\/p>\n Though there are concerns that looking after the fans has left the players wondering about the vehicle supplied for them, Mikael Lustig, particularly, has expressed his doubts about the amount of leg room available in the bus.<\/p>\n The ticket information, we’ll cover here;<\/p>\n THE Celtic Ticket Office<\/em><\/strong> would like to advise that any fans who have ticket issues in relation to the match against KR Reykjavik on Tuesday, July 22 at BT Murrayfield Stadium should resolve them with the Ticket Office before 5pm on Friday.<\/p>\n Ticket Office opening hours will be restricted ahead of the match due to ongoing work in preparation for opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Ticketing support at BT Murrayfield Stadium on the day of the match will also be limited.<\/p>\n Supporters who need assistance can call the Ticket Office on 0141 551 4493 (Calls charged at standard rate), or visit the Ticket Office during the following opening hours;<\/p>\n Thursday, July 17 \u2013 9am – 5pm<\/p>\n Friday, July 18 \u2013 9am – 5pm<\/p>\n Saturday, Jul 19 \u2013 9am – 11am<\/p>\n Monday, July 21 \u2013 9am – 11am<\/p>\n Tuesday, July 22 \u2013 9.30am – 5pm<\/p>\n The last posting date for tickets will be 3pm on Friday, thereafter, it will only be Print At Home tickets which are available online and via our booking line on 0871 226 1888*. Please note there will be no collections on matchday at BT Murrayfield Stadium.<\/p>\n \n \n \n \u00a0As you are probably aware, theres a mass programme of murder ( or a “conflict ” -if you watch the BBC ) going on just now in the Palestine. Since the Second World War ended, Israel has been systematically taking the place over, and recently has seemed a little more determined to finish the job off. This it hopes to achieve by the simple and ruthless policy of just blowing everyone up who already lives there.<\/p>\n \u00a0Celtic have two Israeli players, Beram Kayal, who has remained silent on the issue, and Nir Bitton, who hasn’t.<\/p>\n \u00a0Now, players political beliefs should be similar , in my view, to their religion. Entirely private, and for their own time.<\/p>\n \u00a0Earlier this week, Anthony Stokes \u00a0replied to a tweet from the Israeli Defence force, which is the body responsible for “defending ” Israel. They usually put the awkward and inaccurate bit in the title. Like in the old days when you had the German Democratic Republic, the Peoples Republic of China, and Rangers Football Club. All of which had little resemblance to their name.<\/p>\n \n
\nStr\u00f8msgodset IF (NOR)\/FC Steaua Bucure\u015fti (ROU)
\n<\/em>APOEL FC (CYP)
\nAC Sparta Praha (CZE)\/FC Levadia Tallinn (EST)
\nPFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)\/F91 Dudelange (LUX)
\nFC Santa Coloma (AND)\/ Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)\u00a0<\/strong>
\nH\u0160K Zrinjski (BIH)\/NK Maribor (SVN)
\nFK Partizan (SRB)\/HB T\u00f3rshavn (FRO)
\nFC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)\/FK Aktobe (KAZ)
\nMalm\u00f6 FF (SWE)\/FK Ventspils (LVA)
\nFK Rabotnicki (MKD)\/HJK Helsinki (FIN)<\/p>\n![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bsv9KYcIgAAlcHc.jpg:large\")
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