Celtic’s potential Champions League clash with Linfield is set to be held on Friday, July 14, in Belfast, but the Hoops won’t have any travelling support, according to reports.
Northern Irish side Linfield, who are managed by David Healy, Northern Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer, have potentially set up a Champions League second-round clash with Glasgow Celtic, following the draw for the preliminary rounds on Monday.
The Hoops are expected to make a statement this morning on their plans for the first-leg tie but it is widely expected that no away fans will be present at Windsor Park following a decision made at a board meeting last night as reported by the Daily Record.
Healy’s side first have to overcome the San Marino amateurs, La Fiorita, to set up the tie with the Hoops but that is expected to be a formality for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
The qualifier at Windsor Park was confirmed to have been pushed back to the later date of the 14th, after it was initially set to played on the 12th July after top-level talks between the two clubs, Uefa and the PSNI.
“Celtic’s potential Champions League qualifier with Irish Premiership champions Linfield has been pencilled in for Friday 14 July at Windsor Park.
The traditional Tuesday and Wednesday slot used by Uefa will be set aside as the first leg coincides with the ‘Twelfth’ marches in Northern Ireland.
It’s understood the new date has been agreed by the clubs and approved by the Police Service of Northern Ireland,” confirmed a UEFA statement on Thursday.
This statement came on the back of Belfast police forces’ determination that the game would not take place on either July 11 or 12, which would have been in the middle of the Orange Order parades.
