Celtic assistant boss Chris Davies is confident that his side can make progress in the Champions League, following the draw for the first qualifying round.

The Bhoys have been paired with Armenian champions Alashkert, with a long trip to Eastern Europe in what are expected to be sweltering conditions in mid-July sure to be something of a test.

However, Davies has faith that the extra class of the Scottish champions will eventually tell and believes having a home second leg to look forward to will also be a bonus.

He told the Scottish Daily Mail: “We travel there first and we are at home second, which is positive.

The simplicity of it for us is, if we play to our level, play with our normal way and intensity, then we will beat them.”

Should Celtic make it safely past Alashkert, they will face the winner of the tie between Valur Reykjavik and Rosenborg in the second qualifying round.

Rosenborg and the Bhoys met in the third qualifying round of the competition last season, when, after being held to a goalless draw in the home first leg, Celtic won 1-0 in Norway to progress – with James Forrest the matchwinner.

Brendan Rodgers’ side went on to come out on top in a goal-filled play-off round tie with Astana to secure a place in the group stage of the Champions League.

There they finished in third place in Group B behind Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, before being knocked out of the Europa League by Zenit St Petersburg.

Celtic are 1.08 to win the Scottish Premiership title next season, with Rangers available at 9.00.