Celtic and Rangers learn Champions League play-off opposition

Celtic have learned who they will face in the play-off round of the Champions League – and Rangers have learned their possible path if they get past their third round opponents.

UEFA conducted the draw for the play-offs in Nyon on Monday morning, laying out the possible path to the September group stages for both Old Firm sides.

Celtic went into the seeded Champions Path side of the draw, and will hope to reach the revamped group stages once more, having emerged from the single 36-team table last season.

The Parkhead side were knocked in heartbreaking fashion after Bayern Munich scored in injury time to win their play-off tie 3-2 on aggregate.

They will face either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava in the play-off, with the first leg at Parkhead.

Russell Martin’s new look team are guaranteed European league phase football until at least January after making it past Greek side Panathinaikos last week.

Rangers left Athens with a 1-1 result that secured a 3-1 aggregate victory and booked their place in the third-round qualifiers.

The Ibrox side set up a clash with Viktoria Plzen, with the games to be played on August 5 and August 12, for a place in the play-off stage to potentially reach the continent’s top competition for the first time since 2022.

Should Rangers get past the Czech outfit, they will take on the winner of RB Salzburg vs Club Brugge for a place in the Champions League.

The winner of the third round tie will play the first leg at home.

Celtic and Rangers, should they get there, will be allowed to postpone their Scottish Premiership fixture scheduled between both legs of the play-off tie following an SPFL rule change.

Play-off ties will be played on August 19/20, with the return leg being played on August 26/27.

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