Celtic to face Alashkert in Champions League qualifier
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side will face Armenian side Alashkert in their first Champions League qualifier.
BBC Sport confirms that the two sides will meet during July, with a game against Rosenborg expected to await the winners of the tie.
Rosenborg, who Celtic faced last season, have been drawn against Icelandic side Valur and would be expected to progress into the second qualifying round.
Alashkert won the Armenian league last season and have lost in the second qualifying round in the previous two campaigns.
Qualification for the Champions League group stage will be slightly harder for the Hoops in the new season.
Rodgers’ men will have to face four qualifying games following a change to the competition’s structure.
Should the Hoops fail to win one of the two-legged qualifying ties, they will drop into the Europa League’s next available round.
Celtic lost to Zenit in the Europa League last 32 last season but will be hoping for an improvement this time around.