Cork City U19 manager Stephen Bermingham says his players are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against Italian giants AS Roma in the Uefa Youth League at Turner’s Cross tonight (kick-off 7pm).

Cork City’s U19 boss Stephen Bermingham believes his side’s Uefa Youth League success will inspire more young players to remain in the country and play League of Ireland football.

Cork City 1 HJK Helsinki 0 (City win 1-0 on agg): Aaron Drinan’s penalty, two minutes into the second half, created history at Turner’s Cross as Cork City became the first ever League of Ireland side into the playoff stages of the Uefa Youth League after their 1-0 second-leg win against HJK Helsinki last night.

Emre Can, Liverpool’s utility man last season, is determined to nail down a place in midfield for the coming campaign.

Although delighted that the club are back in Europe for the first time since 2008, Cork City boss John Caulfield admits to mixed feelings about drawing Iceland’s KR Reykjavik in the Europa League.

While the spotlight in tonight’s Champions League Group F game between APOEL of Nicosia and Barcelona will as usual mainly be on blaugrana superstars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Barca’s defenders will do well to keep an eye on the home side’s Cavan-born centre-forward Cillian Sheridan.

St Patrick's will face either Celtic or KR Reykjavik in the Champions League third qualifying round if they come through their second-round tie against Legia Warsaw.

St Patrick’s Athletic fans face a trip to Poland as they were drawn against Legia Warsaw in the Second Qualifying round of the Champions League today.

Celtic 1 Elfsborg 0

Juventus 2 Celtic 0

Georgios Samaras is looking for Turkish referee Firat Aydinus to ensure Celtic get a “fair” crack of the whip against Juventus tomorrow night as they try to rescue their Champions League campaign.

Neil Lennon revealed Celtic have lost 35 players to international duty this week.

Neil Lennon played down the possible impact the Luzhniki Stadium’s artificial surface might have on Celtic’s chances in tonight’s Champions League Group G clash with Spartak Moscow.

Georgios Samaras believes it is time Celtic took their place again at the top table of European club football.

Neil Lennon has revealed money made from the sale of Ki Sung-yueng to Swansea will be used to pay off some of Celtic’s debt.

Neil Lennon will give four of his key players every chance to be ready for the first-leg of Celtic’s Champions League play-off against Helsingborg in Sweden tomorrow night.

Celtic eased into the Champions League play-offs thanks to goals from Joe Ledley and Georgios Samaras in their third qualifier against HJK Helsinki at the Sonera Stadium last night.

HJK Helsinki 0 Celtic 2 (aggregate 1-4)

Neil Lennon will give skipper Scott Brown and winger James Forrest every chance to make the second leg of Celtic’s Champions League third qualifying round against HJK Helsinki in Finland tomorrow night.

Scott Brown has a “very good” chance of being fit for the second-leg of Celtic’s Champions League third qualifier against HJK Helsinki in Finland tomorrow night, according to Hoops’ assistant manager Johan Mjallby.

Celtic should not have any misgivings about HJK Helsinki’s artificial pitch ahead of the second leg of their Champions League third round qualifier on Wednesday night, according to the Finnish side’s assistant manager Juho Rantala.

James Forrest insists Celtic will not look to simply defend their 2-1 lead against HJK Helsinki when they travel to Finland next week for the second-leg of their Champions League third qualifier.

Celtic striker Gary Hooper is confident they can score over in Finland and progress to the Champions League play-offs after coming from behind to beat HJK Helsinki at Parkhead.

Celtic 2 HJK Helsinki 1

Neil Lennon could not have been more disdainful when he described Charles Green’s controversial assertion that the demise of Rangers was down to “bigotry” within Scottish football as “funny.”

Neil Lennon could have not been more disdainful when he described Charles Green’s controversial assertion that the demise of Rangers was down to “bigotry” within Scottish football as “funny”.

Anthony Stokes and Kris Commons will have fitness tests tomorrow ahead of the first leg of Celtic’s Champions League third-round qualifier against HJK Helsinki at Parkhead.

Celtic winger Paddy McCourt is desperate to play a central role this year as the club bids to retain its title.

Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal believes entering newco Rangers into the bottom tier of Scottish football was the right decision.

Shamrock Rovers will face Anderlecht in the third qualifying round of the Champions League if they can overcome Ekranas.

Former Celtic captain Tom Boyd believes the club must qualify for the group stages of the Champions League now there will not be an Old Firm derby at Celtic Park for the foreseeable future.

A host of missed late chances on a frustrating night for Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium leaves Ekranas holding a distinct advantage ahead of the second leg in Lithuania next week.

Veteran Schalke striker Raul has pledged his future to the club amid speculation he was set to leave.

SHAMROCK ROVERS came into last night’s Champions League qualifier knowing they were facing formidable opposition in Copenhagen, a team studded with full internationals and players with knockout stage experience of Europe’s biggest competition.

HARRY REDKNAPP was yesterday taking nothing for granted after Tottenham were handed the easiest possible route to the Champions League proper.

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon put up a brave face despite his side crashing out of the Champions League last night following a 4-2 aggregate defeat by Sporting Braga.

CELTIC gave themselves a mountain to climb bigger than the rockface overlooking AXA Stadium after crashing to Braga in last night’s Champions League third qualifying round first leg.

BOHEMIANS have been drawn against Welsh side TNS (now The New Saints, formerly Total Network Solutions) in the Champions League second round qualifying round.

Bohemians have been drawn against TNS of Wales in the Champions League second qualifying round.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson could be set for a return to Finland after the draw for the third qualifying round of the Europa League was made in Nyon today.

Paul Doolin is hoping Drogheda United can make up for last season’s UEFA Cup agony by advancing at the expense of Henrik Larsson’s Helsingborgs at the Olympia Stadium tomorrow night.

A SECOND-HALF equaliser from top scorer Eamon Zayed rescued Drogheda United after Henrik Larsson’s goal had put Helsingborgs in the driving seat in this UEFA Cup second qualifying round first leg.

Drogheda United have confirmed that they will play the second leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying match against I.T. Start of Norway at Dalymount Park, Dublin on August 24.

Derry City will face Scottish First Division outfit Gretna in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup while Drogheda United must face Start of Norway.