Celtic's potential Champions League play-off opponents became a little clearer on Wednesday after AGF's remarkable comeback against Lech Poznan, with former Celtic winger Luis Palma involved for the Polish side. The Champions League draw on Monday will still leave room for more movement, but the field is already starting to narrow.
Celtic already knew that Viking Stavanger and LASK were potential opponents because both had automatically qualified for the play-off round. The remaining possible opponents depend on the outcomes of the third-round qualifying ties, and two results have now helped shape that picture.
AGF drag Lech Poznan tie beyond 90 minutes
AGF looked out of it after the first leg, but on Wednesday they scored three times in 90 minutes against Lech Poznan to take the tie into extra time. Lech Poznan then scored first in extra-time, before AGF equalised and won the penalty shoot-out.
That result matters because Lech Poznan had been one of the clubs in the wider group of possible opponents for Celtic. Palma, who spent 68 minutes on the pitch for Lech Poznan, was unable to stop AGF's recovery.
Sabah finish the job against KuPS
On Tuesday, Sabah also removed themselves from the picture by winning 2-0 away to KuPS to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory. That outcome helped reduce the number of clubs still alive in the route towards the play-off round.
The remaining ties will now shape the final list of possible opponents. The first legs of three other potential opponents' ties are scheduled for 4/5 August, with the second legs set for 11 August.
For Celtic, the key point is simple: the list is becoming more defined, but it is not settled yet. Monday's draw will confirm the next step, and the outcomes of those third-round qualifying ties will decide which names are still in the frame.
