Oliver Birch 
Mark Runnacles/Getty Images Sport
Celtic have been drawn against Lazio, Stade Rennais and CFR Cluj in the group stage of this season’s Europa League, following Thursday’s play-off victory over AIK.
While it is no doubt a tricky looking group, Celtic are by no means out of the running to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Following the draw, we’ve taken a look at the Hoops’ opponents and how they have fared in Europe in recent seasons.
Lazio
Lazio are the highest ranked team in the group having been drawn from pot one, and they qualified for the Europa League after beating Atalanta 2-0 in the Italian Cup final.
The Serie A outfit did only manage an eighth placed finish in the league last season, seven points adrift of AS Roma in sixth, but they opened their account for this campaign with a fine 3-0 win away to Sampdoria.
While they are arguably the strongest side in the group, their recent record away from home in Europe can give the Hoops hope of picking up a result at Parkhead.
Lazio have lost six of their last 10 games away from home in the last two season’s of the Europa League, conceding 16 goals in the process, with the likes of Steaua Bucharest, Zulte Waregem and Appollon Limassol all beating the Italian outfit at their respective home stadiums.
Encouragement for Celtic. Next:
stade rennais
Like Lazio, Stade Rennais qualified for the Europa League after winning the Coupe de France against Paris Saint-Germain last season, and the French outfit should not be underestimated.
They are currently top of Ligue 1 after winning their opening three league games, including another fine victory over PSG, and will be full of confidence following a fine start.
Once again, however, their away record in Europe can provide Celtic with a boost. Despite reaching the Round of 16 in last season’s Europa League, the French side lost three of their five ties away from home, including a surprising 2-0 defeat to Kazakhstani outfit Astana.
The Hoops also beat Rennais at Parkhead the last time these two sides met in the Europa League in a 3-1 win, and a similar result would certainly be welcomed by the Celtic faithful this time around.
CFR CLUJ
Well, this was just bound to happen wasn’t it?
Celtic will have the perfect chance for revenge against the Romanian side who dumped them out of the Champions League at the third qualifying round earlier this season.
Dan Petrescu’s side have made the group stages of a European competition for the first time since they qualified for the Champions League in the 2012/13 campaign, and will no doubt by buoyed by their recent triumph over the Hoops.
Equally, though, Celtic will also be motivated by that shocking night and determined to make amends as quickly as possible.
read celtic verdict
While it looks a very tricky group on paper, there is certainly hope for Celtic’s chances, especially at home.
All three of the Hoops’ opponents have relatively shaky recent records on their travels in Europe, and Lennon’s men will have a real chance of qualification if they can take advantage of that.
