Celtic draw Austrian champions LASK in Champions League play-off tie

Scottish champions Celtic will face Austrian counterparts LASK in the Champions League play-off round, with the vital first leg taking place in Glasgow on 18 or 19 August.

The return fixture will be played in Austria the following week as the Glasgow giants look to secure their spot in Europe’s elite club competition.

Having been seeded for the crucial draw, the Premiership title holders avoided several potentially tricky ties against opponents from Norway, Slovenia, and Denmark.

Rangers and Hearts face complex European routes

Elsewhere, four other Scottish clubs are closely monitoring the upcoming Europa League and Europa Conference League play-off draws.

If Rangers can overcome Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in their third-round qualifier, they could face Norwegian outfit Lillestrom or the winners of Larne and Iberia 1999.

Defeat for the Ibrox side would drop them into the Conference League play-offs, opening up a raft of potential opponents including Czech club Jablonec or Croatia’s Hajduk Split.

Meanwhile, Heart of Midlothian face a demanding clash against Portuguese heavyweights Benfica following their elimination from Champions League qualification.

Motherwell and Hibernian await formidable opponents

Should the Edinburgh club brilliantly progress past Benfica, they could meet Greek side OFI Crete, while Motherwell face a similar path if they defeat Finland’s HJK Helsinki.

A loss for either side could result in glamorous Conference League ties against Serie A club Atalanta or Bundesliga representatives Freiburg.

Across the capital, Hibernian must conquer Macedonian side Shkendija to keep their European dreams alive.

Success for the Easter Road outfit could earn them a blockbuster fixture against Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion or French giants Monaco.