Soccer

Celtic agree to play first leg of Champions League qualifier in Belfast

Cliftonville to host Neil Lennon’s side at Solitude on July 17th

Cliftonville will host Celtic in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at Solitude on July 17th. Photograph: Inpho
Cliftonville will host Celtic in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at Solitude on July 17th. Photograph: Inpho
Thu Jun 27 2013 - 16:29

The first leg of Celtic’s Champions League qualifier will take place in Belfast after agreeing to a request from Cliftonville.

The opening tie of the second qualifying round was initially set to be played at Celtic Park before the Northern Ireland champions requested a swap.

The first leg will now take place at Solitude on July 17th, with the return in Glasgow on July 23rd, both with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Boss Neil Lennon told the club's website: "It will be the first time I will have taken Celtic to a competitive game back home so that is something to look forward to, but we will be totally motivated, obviously, to play as strongly as we can and try and win the tie.

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“It’s a great draw and it will create a lot of interest back in Belfast but I am very wary of the tie.”