Israeli champions Maccabi face Cluj of Romania over two legs, the first of which is onWednesday night, and could face the Glaswegian giants who take on Nomme Kalju of Estonia the same night.
Maccabi won the Ligat Ha’Al title for the 22nd time in May – their first title since 2015 – and they boosted their striking options last week when signing striker Nick Blackman from Derby.
Meanwhile, Hapoel Beer Sheva full-back Hatem Abd Elhamed has agreed a two-year deal with Celtic subject to passing a medical and receipt of a work permit.
The Bhoys will pay Beer Sheva a £1.6 million transfer fee. Elhamed, 28, was born in the Galilee Arab village of Kafr Manda and as a schoolboy rose through the ranks of Bnei Sakhnin before joining Maccabi Tel Aviv. He joined Ashdod and was sent out on loan to Charleroi and Gent in Belgium and Dinamo Bucarest before joining Beer Sheva last year.
Elhamed will team up with fellow Israeli and Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton. One of Elhamed’s first games could be against Maccabi Tel Aviv next month in the Champions League.
