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Celtic to face Linfield or La Fiorita in Champions League second qualifying round

Stuart Armstrong celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Hearts
Image: Celtic could face a trip to Northern Ireland in the second qualifying round of the Champions League

Celtic will play Linfield of Northern Ireland or La Fiorita of San Marino in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

Celtic reached the group stage of Europe's elite club competition last season, but did not qualify for the knockout phase after failing to win any of their matches against Barcelona, Manchester City or Borussia Monchengladbach.

The first leg will be played on July 11 or 12, with the second leg taking place on July 18 or 19.

Their opponents will become clear in the first week of July after Linfield and La Florita have played each other in the first qualifying round.

Manager Brendan Rodgers led Celtic to an unbeaten domestic treble last season in his first campaign at the club, winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers  celebrates after victory at Hearts
Image: Brendan Rodgers will be aiming to lead Celtic into the Champions League group stage for a second successive season

Celtic's first-team squad returned for pre-season training on Monday and will play their first friendly against Austrian side BW Linz on June 28.

Rodgers and his side will then face Rapid Vienna (July 1), Slavia Prague (July 4) and Shamrock Rovers (July 8) before turning their attentions to the Champions League qualifiers.

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Elsewhere, Irish champions Dundalk have been drawn against Rosenborg of Norway, while Welsh champions The New Saints will have to overcome Europa FC of Gibraltar in order to face HNK Rijeka of Croatia in the second round.

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