Celtic v Hapoel Beer-Sheva background
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Article summary
Celtic will look to end a barren run in UEFA Champions League play-offs as they take on Israeli titleholders Hapoel Beer-Sheva, who eliminated group stage regulars Olympiacos.
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Celtic have missed out in the last two editions of the UEFA Champions League play-offs and will look to calm any nerves as they take on Hapoel Beer-Sheva.
Previous meetings
• The clubs are meeting for the first time in what is Hapoel Beer-Sheva's maiden encounter with Scottish opponents.
• Celtic's record in four games against Israeli teams is W3 D0 L1 (W2 D0 L0 at home – W1 D0 L1 away).
Match background
• Celtic eliminated Lincoln and Astana to reach the play-offs; they were victorious in both of their home matches but did not win away (D1 L1).
• Celtic's record in five UEFA Champions League play-offs is W2 L3. The wins were against Shakhtar Karagandy (2013/14) and Helsingborg (2012/13); the defeats came against Malmö (2015/16), Maribor (2014/15) and Arsenal (2009/10).
• Hapoel Beer-Sheva defeated Sheriff and Olympiacos in the second and third qualifying rounds respectively; they won their home games and drew both away fixtures 0-0.
• This is the Camels' first UEFA Champions League campaign; they won their third Israeli title – and first since 1975/76 – last season.
Team and coach links
• Celtic boast Israeli talent in the form of midfielder Nir Biton, who joined the club from Ashdod in August 2013. He is the third Israeli international to represent Celtic following Eyal Berkovic and Beram Kayal.
• Celtic's Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose also played in Israel with Ashdod from June 2010 to August 2012.
• Beer-Sheva defender Shir Tzedek turns 27 on 22 August, on the eve of the second leg against Celtic.
Coach profiles
• Celtic's Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers specialised as a youth coach after a knee condition ended his playing career. He led Chelsea's youngsters during José Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge, then took over at Watford, Reading and Swansea City before managing Liverpool from June 2012 to October 2015.
• A defender for Hakoah Ramat Gan and Hapoel Petach-Tikva, Barak Bakhar moved from playing to coaching in the midst of an 11-year spell at Ironi Kiryat Shmona. He switched to Beer-Sheva in 2015, leading them to the title in his first season at the helm.