Celtic get their Champions League qualifying campaign underway on Wednesday when they host Icelandic champions Stjarnan in the first leg of their second-round tie.

The Hoops will be eager to return to European club football's top competition after failing to reach the group stage last season.

Celtic

Celtic's season will officially start on Wednesday at home to Icelandic champions Stjarnan in the first leg of their second-round qualifier in the Champions League.

The Hoops' build-up to the game has been solid, with two wins and one draw coming in three friendly fixtures.

Their latest result came on Friday when they earned a 1-0 victory over David Moyes's Real Sociedad in Paisley. Gary Mackay-Steven struck 22 minutes from time to hand the Scottish champions the win.

Off the pitch, Celtic have been active in the transfer market so far this summer, bringing in four new faces. Their most notable signing has been striker Nadir Ciftci from Dundee United for £1.5m.

Ciftci, who scored 33 goals in two seasons for Dundee, has been backed by former Celtic striker Chris Sutton to be a success in Glasgow.

Celtic missed out on a place in the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2011 last year as they were knocked out in qualifying by NK Maribor.

Recent form (all competitions): WDWWLW

Stjarnan

Icelandic champions Stjarnan will create their own piece of history on Wednesday as they play their first ever match in the Champions League.

The club took part in Europa League qualifying last season, but they were eventually beaten by Inter Milan after defeating Bangor over two legs.

Stjarnan goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen, who used to play for Motherwell, has claimed that he and his teammates are heading to Glasgow looking to cause an upset.

"We have to believe we have a chance to go through," he told the Scottish Daily Record. "With the stadium and fans they have, it would send shock waves around Europe if we won. We are going to Glasgow to surprise a few people."

Runar Pall Sigmundsson's side are 11 games into their own domestic season, but their title defence has got off to a shaky start with four wins and four defeats leaving them in sixth place in the table.

In all competitions, Stjarnan have lost five of their last eight matches. Their most recent triumph was a 2-1 victory away to Keflavik in the league.

Recent form (all competitions): LWLLWL

Team News

Celtic will be without Kris Commons after the midfielder was told that he would be forced to miss the game with a fractured toe.

However, defender Mikael Lustig is expected to feature following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury. The Swede has featured in all three of Celtic's pre-season friendlies after being out of action for four months with an ankle problem.

New signings Nadir Ciftci and Saidy Janko are also in contention following their recent arrivals at the club.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Armstrong, Johansen, Mackay-Steven; Griffiths

Stjarnan possible starting lineup:
Nielsen; Heiðdal, J Laxdal, D Laxdal, Arnason; Johannsson, Punyed, Ægisson, Sturluson, Runarsson; Hansen

Head To Head

This will be the first time that the two sides have faced each other.

We say: Celtic 2-0 Stjarnan

Celtic must be careful not to underestimate Stjarnan after falling at the qualification stage of last year's Champions League, but the Scottish champions should have enough quality to earn a first-leg lead. The visitors could be dangerous because they have nothing to lose, though it would be a major shock if they caught Celtic out in Glasgow.