GLASGOW CELTIC ARE considering the possibility of playing Champions League qualifiers in Ireland next season.
Due to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow between 23 July and 3 August, the Scottish Premiership champions are required to play at least one and maybe two European games away from their home ground if, as expected, they qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.
Chief executive Peter Lawwell says that while Murrayfield is the current frontrunner, they are looking into stadiums in Ireland and England.
“It looks like the Q2 qualifier will definitely be away from Celtic Park and possibly Q3 whether the first leg is home or away,” Lawwell told STV.
“At the moment we’ve got two or three options that we are looking at internally. The most likely is Murrayfield because it is the right size, the right quality for Champions League and it’s nearer Glasgow.
Were looking at one or two outside the border, in Ireland and the north of England but as yet we don’t know if UEFA would approve that. We’re assessing the options before we go to them.”
The Hoops have a considerable following in Ireland and sold out the Aviva Stadium with Liverpool for a friendly game back in August.
Watch the full STV interview here
