Five-time defending Scottish Premiership champion Celtic, which starts the American duo of Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defense, beat Austria’s LASK, which also starts two Americans, 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff.

Last season, Rangers fell short against Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat in the playoff and entered the Europa League after reaching the Champions League’s league phase in 2024-25.

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