Celtic’s Europa League draw wasn’t the kindest, but it certainly wasn’t the most difficult draw they could have asked for.
After a night where, for the best part of an hour and a half, Hoops fans were pacing up and down their living rooms and biting their nails down to the bare skin, fans have reaped the rewards of seeing a group stage draw where they can finally attend games – and there are some brilliant teams that will come to Paradise.
The biggest seed was Bayer Leverkusen; the German giants will be by far the toughest opponent for Ange Postecoglou’s men as they have established themselves as one of the best five teams in the Bundesliga. With the riches of the German top division pitted against Celtic’s minuscule budget in comparison, it will mirror the win over Lazio if Celtic manage to get a result at the BayArena.
Fans were most delighted at the draw of Real Betis; a team steeped in Celtic history, and with a return to Seville on the cards, fans will be itching for flight tickets to the Andalusian capital if away fans are allowed.
But the most interesting game – at least in terms of seeing how far Ange Postecoglou has come in his Celtic tenure – will be the ties against Ferencvaros.
If the Aussie can beat the Hungarian side home and away, not only will he endear himself to the fans, but it will also highlight the inconsistencies in Neil Lennon’s management style – as Celtic look to get sweet revenge for that embarrassing elimination just a year ago under Lenny.
In reaction, fans took to Twitter to air their thoughts on the draw…
Trying to play at the highest level we can in European football means going up against good teams. Some stiff tests in this group, but it’s not that long ago we topped a UEL group with good teams in it.
— Flynn ⬛🟪⬜🟨 (@eightsixonesix) August 27, 2021
Some glamour ties and a chance for revenge on Ferencvaros!
— CelticSlinky 🇯🇵 (@CelticSlinky) August 27, 2021
YESSSSSSSSS REAL BETIS AND CELTIC DRAWN IN THE SAME GROUP 💚💚💚💚💚
— Andrew Miller (@AndrewMillerNBA) August 27, 2021
Celtic. Betis. Scottish-Spanish crossover. I’m absolutely here for that.
— Euan McTear (@emctear) August 27, 2021
Some fans will relish the occasion – especially having not had a European night at Parkhead for just under two years, now – whilst some are sharing the optimism that Ange Postecoglou has brought over the course of the past month…
6 points from Ferencvárosi games, easy. We will do them home and away for revenge. Win at home to Betis. Can’t call Betis away but would like to think we can grab a draw. 9 points guaranteed, possibly 10. Anything against Leverkusen is a bonus, they are about 5 levels above.
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboaa) August 27, 2021
