Celtic’s possible Europa League last 32 opponents

Celtic could face Legia Warsaw in Europe for the second time this season. Picture:Ian Georgeson

The draw for the next round won’t be made until Monday but thanks to the format for the competition the list of possible opponents for Ronny Deila’s side can already be narrowed down to just 15 teams

These teams include the respective winners of each group as well as some of those teams who have dropped down from the Champions League.

Group A winners: Borussia Monchengladbach

Jonathan Silva and Sporting Lisbon could be another possible opponent for the Hoops. Picture: Getty

Unbeaten in their group, the Germans currently sit 6th in their domestic league, the Bundesliga. Their recent form however, hasn’t been spectacular and they will be relying on danger men Raffael and Max Kruse to get the goals. Celtic may fancy their chances.

Group B winners: Club Brugge

The Belgians are another unbeaten side in the Europa League and currently sit top of the Belgian Pro League. A dangerous prospect with striker Victor Vasquez scoring regularly, they may be one Celtic will be wary of.

Group C winners: Besiktas

The Turkish side overcame Spurs at home to finish top of their group. They are another team who finished their respective group undefeated and with former Chelsea star Demba Ba on form for them, they are definitely a team for Celtic to be wary of in the draw.

Group E winners: Dynamo Moscow

The Russian side are another who may be a dangerous prospect for Celtic, having come through their group with six wins out of six and with the added prospect of an away trip to Moscow, the tie is one Celtic will look to avoid.

Group F winners: Inter Milan

Inter’s inconsistent form this season has left them in 12th place after 14 matches, but just nine points separate them from third-place Genoa and a Champions League spot. Roberto Mancini’s side have produced better form in Europe and with the squad they have they will surely be a match for anyone.

Group G winners: Feyenoord

Midfielder Jens Toornstra will be the danger man for Feyernoord, the Dutch club have done well in Europe this season and as they are struggling to catch Eredivisie leaders Ajax and PSV, it looks like it may be their best chance for glory.

Group H winners: Everton

Everton are a quality side as their staying power within the Premiership over the last few years would suggest. With Scottish stars such as Steven Naismith and former Celtic star Aiden McGeady in the team, the Toffees will know what to expect if they face a trip to Parkhead.

Group I winners: Napoli

Possibly one of the toughest draws, Gonzalo Higuain and Marek Hamsik are the star attractions in Rafa Benitez’s side. Celtic would be up against it both home and away if they are drawn against the Serie A side.

Group J winners: Dynamo Kiev

Star men Artem Kravets and winger Andriy Yarmolenko will provide the threat for the Ukrainian side, who have so far been in sparkling form in Europe, losing only once away to Aalborg. Strong at home, an away trip to Parkhead might prove the difference if the two sides are drawn against each other.

Group K winners: Fiorentina

With a side that features players such as Borja Valero, Micah Richards, Juan Cuadrado and a squad valued in the region of £180m. Fiorentina may look like a daunting prospect. Recent form in the league might suggest otherwise however, and Celtic might just fancy their chances against the Italian side.

Group L winners: Legia Warsaw

A side Celtic will now know all too well. Beaten by Legia in both legs in their previous encounter, a draw against the Poles could help Celtic to restore some pride, however it may also prove a powder keg of a tie. Definitely one Ronny Deila may want Celtic to stay away from.

Champions League drop outs:

Olympiacos

Only missing out on the last 16 by one point in a group that featured both Juventus and Athletico Madrid is no mean feat. With on-loan Fulham forward Konstantinos Mitroglou providing an attacking threat and the usual hostile reception for an away leg in Greece, they maybe another team best avoided.

Zenit St Petersburg

Zenit have previously done well in Europe and this competition in particular in the past, but they have struggled in recent years. With players like Hulk, Garay and Javier Garcia however, they would provide a huge obstacle to Celtic’s progression in the tournament.

Sporting Lisbon

Elsewhere the name dominating any headlines involving Sporting would be that of Manchester United loanee Nani, however a match against Celtic would only focus on one name - Ryan Gauld. The young Scot would know exactly what to expect of the Scottish champions, knowledge that could him in the starting line up were the two to play,

Both teams have shown they are capable of scoring goals home and away but also that they have frailties at the back, a match between them would most certainly provide excitement and goals.

Athletic Bilbao

Bilboa struggled to score goals in the Champions League and this may plague them in the knockout stages of the Europa League. With stars like Aymeric Laport, Iker Muniain and Aritz Aduriz though, they are most certainly capable of providing a threat and would be a stern test for Celtic.

By the looks of it there really is very few easy draws and Celtic will hope to avoid some of the bigger guns such as Inter Milan, Napoli and Everton.

Though they may fancy their chances against teams like Fiorentina, Sporting Lisbon and Borussia Monchengladbach

Perhaps though, the most mouth-watering prospect is the possibility of a rematch between Celtic and Legia Warsaw.

The two teams having already met in Champions League qualifications where Celtic were given a 3-0 default victory in the second-leg, after Legia had fielded an illegible player. The result saw the Parkhead club overturn a 4-1 defeat in Poland and helped them progress to the next round at Legia’s expense.

Should the two teams draw each other it will certainly provide a fascinating subtext to what will already be a quality tie.