MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 02:30:42| >> :120:27387:27387:
[monks data]
Celtic logo
Champions League | Second Qualifying Round
Jul 15, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 

2-0

Boyata (44'), Johansen (56')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Celtic vs. Stjarnan

Sports Mole looks ahead to Celtic's clash with Icelandic champions Stjarnan in the second round of Champions League qualifying.

Celtic get their Champions League qualifying campaign underway on Wednesday when they host Icelandic champions Stjarnan in the first leg of their second-round tie.

The Hoops will be eager to return to European club football's top competition after failing to reach the group stage last season.


Celtic

Manager Ronny Deila of Celtic Glasgow reacts on the touchline during the Pre Season Friendly between SK Rapid Wien and Celtic Glasgow at Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadium on July 6, 2014© Getty Images

Celtic's season will officially start on Wednesday at home to Icelandic champions Stjarnan in the first leg of their second-round qualifier in the Champions League.

The Hoops' build-up to the game has been solid, with two wins and one draw coming in three friendly fixtures.

Their latest result came on Friday when they earned a 1-0 victory over David Moyes's Real Sociedad in Paisley. Gary Mackay-Steven struck 22 minutes from time to hand the Scottish champions the win.

Off the pitch, Celtic have been active in the transfer market so far this summer, bringing in four new faces. Their most notable signing has been striker Nadir Ciftci from Dundee United for £1.5m.

Ciftci, who scored 33 goals in two seasons for Dundee, has been backed by former Celtic striker Chris Sutton to be a success in Glasgow.

Celtic missed out on a place in the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2011 last year as they were knocked out in qualifying by NK Maribor.

Recent form (all competitions): WDWWLW


Stjarnan

A general shot of the Champions League trophy.© Getty Images

Icelandic champions Stjarnan will create their own piece of history on Wednesday as they play their first ever match in the Champions League.

The club took part in Europa League qualifying last season, but they were eventually beaten by Inter Milan after defeating Bangor over two legs.

Stjarnan goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen, who used to play for Motherwell, has claimed that he and his teammates are heading to Glasgow looking to cause an upset.

"We have to believe we have a chance to go through," he told the Scottish Daily Record. "With the stadium and fans they have, it would send shock waves around Europe if we won. We are going to Glasgow to surprise a few people."

Runar Pall Sigmundsson's side are 11 games into their own domestic season, but their title defence has got off to a shaky start with four wins and four defeats leaving them in sixth place in the table.

In all competitions, Stjarnan have lost five of their last eight matches. Their most recent triumph was a 2-1 victory away to Keflavik in the league.

Recent form (all competitions): LWLLWL


Team News

A general shot of the Champions League trophy.© Getty Images

Celtic will be without Kris Commons after the midfielder was told that he would be forced to miss the game with a fractured toe.

However, defender Mikael Lustig is expected to feature following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury. The Swede has featured in all three of Celtic's pre-season friendlies after being out of action for four months with an ankle problem.

New signings Nadir Ciftci and Saidy Janko are also in contention following their recent arrivals at the club.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Armstrong, Johansen, Mackay-Steven; Griffiths

Stjarnan possible starting lineup:
Nielsen; Heiðdal, J Laxdal, D Laxdal, Arnason; Johannsson, Punyed, Ægisson, Sturluson, Runarsson; Hansen


Head To Head

This will be the first time that the two sides have faced each other.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Celtic 2-0 Stjarnan

Celtic must be careful not to underestimate Stjarnan after falling at the qualification stage of last year's Champions League, but the Scottish champions should have enough quality to earn a first-leg lead. The visitors could be dangerous because they have nothing to lose, though it would be a major shock if they caught Celtic out in Glasgow.



ID:233451: cacheID:233451:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8031:
Written by
Jack Prescott
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manager Ronny Deila of Celtic Glasgow reacts on the touchline during the Pre Season Friendly between SK Rapid Wien and Celtic Glasgow at Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadium on July 6, 2014
Read Next:
Deila aiming for Champions League spot
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!