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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Fraser Wilson

Celtic dates confirmed for Cluj Champions League double header

Celtic face a trip to Romania in the next stage of their quest to reach the Champions League group stage.

Dan Petrescu's CFR Cluj will provide the opposition for a double header which Neil Lennon accepts will be another step-up in quality after comfortable qualifying victories over Sarajevo and Nomme Kalju.

A 2-0 win in Estonia last night wrapped-up a 7-0 aggregate thrashing of Nomme as the Hoops cranked things up a gear.

Now Cluj, who defeated Maccabi Tel-Aviv 3-2 on aggregate after drawing 2-2 in Tuesday's second leg, stand in the way of a play-off spot.

And UEFA have confirmed the dates and times for both the home and away legs.

Celtic travel to Romania for the opening encounter, to be played on Wednesday, August 7, in the Stadionul Dr Constantin Rădulescu stadium, which holds 23,500. The tie has a 7pm kick off.

The return will be held six days later at Parkhead, on Tuesday, August 13, with a 7.45pm kick off.

Lennon accepts Petrescu's side will provide a stiff test.

Leigh Griffiths celebrates with Olivier Ntcham (Daily Record)

He said: “Cluj are a very experienced side with an experienced manager but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes. We’ve had them watched in both ties so we will be well prepared for next week.

“We had a very tough tie against Sarajevo in the opening tie and we negotiated that very well and we are two or three weeks fitter down the line.

“We’re still not where we really want to be in terms of match fitness and match sharpness but we’re in a good place and we look at threat and that’s very pleasing.

"Winning tonight keeps the momentum going into the domestic campaign on Saturday.”

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