Celtic have been paired with Champions League and Premiership winners Manchester United in a tough Group E which also includes Spanish side Villarreal and Danish side Aalborg.
But it will be the two mouth watering clashes with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side that will take all the headlines.
Just month’s after their Old Firm rivals lost the UEFA Cup Final at United’s rivals
Ground, the City of Manchester Stadium, the Celtic fans with travel down south hoping that they will have a better time with the locals and the Greater Manchester Police force!
The club’s last met in the 2006-07 season when Celtic were beaten 3-2 at Old Trafford but won at Celtic Park 1-0 thanks to a fantastic Shunsuke Nakamura free kick and penalty save from Artur Boruc.
There has been a special bond with the Celtic and Villarreal fans ever since both clubs met in the UEFA Cup in 2004.
Aalborg are currently managed by former Scotland defender Bruce Rioch whose side overcame Rangers conqueror’s Kaunas in the last round.
Group E
Manchester United
Villarreal
Celtic
Aalborg
Celtic v Aalborg 17/9/08
Villarreal v Celtic 30/9/08
Man Utd v Celtic 21/10/08
Celtic v Man Utd 5/11/08
Aalborg v Celtic 25/11/08
Celtic v Villarreal 10/12/08
by Sean Graham
