CHAMPIONS CUP FOOTBALL: Crusaders to face FC Copenhagen

Crusaders will play FC Copenhagen in the second qualifying round of the Champions League next month.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Jun 2016, 18:13 BST

Updated 20th Jun 2016, 19:17 BST

The Irish Premiership champions will face the Danes at home on July 12/13 and away on July 19/20 - dates and venues yet to be confirmed.

Steven Baxter’s Crusaders could have been the first competitive opponents for new Celtic manager and Northern Ireland man Brendan Rodgers, but avoided each other in the draw.

Celtic have been drawn to face Estonian side Flora Tallinn or Gibraltar side Lincoln Red Imps in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

Celtic’s first game will be on July 12-13, the week after their opponents are decided.

League of Ireland champions Dundalk will face HF Hafnarfjordur of Iceland.

Wales’ representatives, The New Saints, begin their campaign in the first round against Tre Penne of San Marino with a match against Apoel of Cyprus on offer for the winners.