Celtic can get rub of the green against Maribor

Last season’s prolific pair Kris Commons and Anthony Stokes netted 46 league goals between them, and the dangerous duo are 7/1 and 8/1 to score two or more respectively in this European outing.

Ante Simundza’s team are unlikely to roll over without a fight, though, having vanquished the likes of Zrinjski Mostar and Maccabi Tel-Aviv to clinch the opportunity for further Champions League football.

Sporting director Zlatko Zahovic certainly seemed bullish about his side’s chances of reaching the group stage for the first time in 15 seasons.

Speaking ahead of the clash, the former Porto star stated: “If we go into the match humbly and modestly, we have a lot of options. I am a great optimist.

“It is important we prepare properly because an epic duel awaits us.”

The Slovenian side also have a secret weapon up their sleeve in the form of Macedonia winger Agim Ibriami, who spent last term on loan at Cagliari.

Celtic will be all too familiar with the 25-year-old if Maribor are to be believed, as the Slovenian side claim they fought off competition from the Hoops to tie tricky Ibraimi to a new deal.

Brazil-born skipper and club top scorer Marcos Taveres is 9/1 to put two or more past the Scottish Champions, whilst fearsome French forward Jean-Philippe Mendy is also available at 6/1 to fire in first for the home team.

New Celtic stopper Craig Gordon will make his Champions League bow for the club, and his confidence could be key, after the Hoops sold England World Cup keeper Fraser Forster to Southampton.

The Bhoys enjoyed an unbeaten streak of 26 league games last term, with a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen their largest margin of error, and will need former Sunderland goalie Gordon to be on top form if they are to make headway in Europe.

Celtic reportedly raised around £10m from the wantaway Forster, but fans have yet to see the money reinvested, with the Hoops seemingly keen on securing loan deals. So far they appear to have paid off, with English Premier League loanees Beget (Cardiff City) and Denayer (Manchester City) already having made an impact.

Now the Hoops will be hoping they can make amends and extend their European adventure. Despite the Bhoys’ unbeaten and impressive start to the new season, their European form has not matched up to the domestic escapades, after they suffered a humiliating 6-1 aggregate defeat to Legia.

Although they now have a reprieve, it could well be brief, with Maribor 15/8 to claim the first leg spoils or 23/10 to secure a draw.