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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Gabriel McKay

Who are FC Midtjylland as Celtic face Champions League test with Erik Sviatchenko's giant killers

Celtic have learned the identity of their Champions League second qualifying round opponents as they take on FC Midtjylland of Denmark.

The first competitive match under new manager Ange Postecoglou will see the Super Liga side visit Parkhead, with the return leg in Jutland a week later.

Going into the draw Celtic knew they could face only three opponents, with fans likely to be delighted at having avoided Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Midtjylland will be no pushovers though, and any thought of taking them lightly will have been extinguished by the memories of CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros in recent seasons.

Here's the crucial information you need on Celtic's Champions League foes as they aim to reach the group stage for the first time since the days of Brendan Rodgers.

Who are FC Midtjylland?

Based in the north of Denmark, the club was only formed in 1999 when Ikast FS and Herning Fremad merged to form one club.

They were promoted to the Super Liga just a year later and despite having just an 11,000 seater stadium they've been consistently competitive with the giants of Danish football such as FC Copenhagen and Brondby.

They've won the top flight three times, most recently in the 2019-20 season.

How have they managed it?

(FrontzoneSport via Getty Images)

Put simply, smart recruitment and good youth development that is the envy of smaller clubs across the continent.

They were the first Danish club to build an academy, and are known for their scouting and coaching.

Midtjylland have a network of over 100 youth clubs in their region of Jutland, as well as attracting players from elsewhere in Denmark.

They also have a link-up with Nigerian side Ebedei, with midfielder Frank Onyenka arriving from there.

Simon Kjaer of AC Milan and West Ham United's Winston Reid came through the Midtjylland academy before moving on for big money.

They've also shown an ability to profit on player trading, with players like Alexander Sorloth and Boubacar Sanneh arriving on the cheap and leaving for big fees.

Who is their manager?

There's only recently been a change in the Midtjylland dugout, with Bo Henriksen, a former Bristol Rovers player replacing Royal Antwerp-bound Brian Priske a couple of weeks ago.

Henriksen left relegated Horsens at the end of last season but had previously been lauded for keeping the minnows in the top flight on a small budget.

Who are the danger men?

Erik Sviatchenko in action for Midtjylland (SNS Group)

Celtic fans will need no introduction to Erik Sviatchenko, a former Parkhead star who could well return to the club this summer.

Winger Pione Sisto is a real threat having returned from Celta Vigo.

The Danish international bagged 31 goals in 113 games in his first spell and got five in just 12 Super Liga games last season after his homecoming.

On the other flank former St Mirren loanee Anders Dreyere has an eye for goal and played 45 games in all competitions last term.

Guinea international striker Sory Kaba was top scorer last season for the Danes, and once cost FC Dijon €4million.

What kind of stadium will Celtic be visiting?

(Rangers FC/Press Association Ima)

A small one.

The MCH Arena holds just 9,430 for European matches, with terracing converted to seats for those games.

Opened in 2003, it's just the ninth largest stadium in Denmark.

What's their European record like?

(Rangers/PA)

Having been formed a little over two decades ago, Midtjylland don't have a long record in continental competition.

However, they have proved dangerous foes in their short European history.

Midtjylland have beaten English clubs Manchester City, Manchester United and Southampton and drawn with Liverpool.

In addition, they stunned Czech champions Slavia Prague last season to reach the Champions League group stage, scoring three times in the last six minutes of their record leg to record a 4-1 aggregate win.

Given that Slavia eliminated Rangers and have reached the Europa League quarter-finals in two of the last three seasons it was a notable achievement, even if they managed just two points in the group stage against Liverpool, Atalanta and Ajax.

They've faced Scottish opposition only once before, losing 7-3 on aggregate to Rangers in the Europa League third qualifying round in 2019-20.

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