Union Saint-Gilloise skipper Kevin Mac Allister has made no secret of which Europa League tie excites him most this season, and it’s the one against Celtic.
Following this week’s draw, according to Celtic Way, the Union SG captain named the visit of the Hoops as the fixture he’s most looking forward to out of the whole campaign. For a support that takes real pride in how Celtic are viewed across the continent, that’s the kind of admission worth taking notice of. Anyone wanting the full lie of the land on who else awaits Celtic in Europe this term should check out our breakdown of Celtic’s Europa League opponents.
Mac Allister didn’t hedge when asked to pick out a game that stood above the rest. In substance, he said the home tie against Celtic would be the most interesting for him personally, adding that he’s always liked Scottish clubs, Celtic and Rangers both. He also flagged the away trip to Besiktas in Turkey as one he’s relishing, citing the hostile atmosphere in Istanbul as something that sharpens the appetite – a nice touch, but it’s the Celtic remark that will land with Hoops supporters.
Worth noting: this one won’t be played at Union SG’s historic home. Stade Joseph Marien doesn’t meet UEFA’s requirements, so Celtic’s trip to Belgium will instead take place at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven.
A Personal Connection
There’s a family thread running through all this too. Mac Allister is an Argentina international and the brother of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, but according to the source, his forefathers hail from Tarbert – a Scottish connection that adds some extra colour to why he’s drawn to facing Celtic specifically.
Union SG boss David Hubert was similarly upbeat about the draw, saying his side would need to be at their very best to take anything from the group. With Celtic already turning attention to strengthening the squad for the campaign ahead, it’s worth revisiting Celtic’s transfer plans for the Europa League to see how the club is shaping up for these tests.
Looking Ahead
A precise date for the Leuven trip hasn’t been confirmed here, but the tie itself is now firmly on the radar. Given how it will affect the calendar around domestic commitments, our look at Celtic’s fixture changes is worth a read too. Mon The Hoops.
