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Celtic await report on ‘unplayable’ Qarabag pitch

Celtic’s Champions League qualifying tie in Azerbaijan could be in jeopardy because of the state of Qarabag’s pitch.

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Media reports suggested that the pitch at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium was uneven and had become scorched by extreme weather in Baku.

The Hoops will be desperate for the match to go ahead so as to avoid any early season fixture pile-up that could potentially arise with a rearranged game.

Celtic assistant manager John Collins says the Scottish club’s officials inspected the pitch on Monday and admitted there are concerns over the quality of the surface.

A spokesman for FSM (Football and Sports Management), who are responsible for the maintenance of the pitch told BBC Scotland: “There is not a major problem”.

“Some areas have been damaged by the heat”.

“At this level you expect the pitch to be of a good standard but if it isn’t we’ll just have to adapt our play”.

The Bhoys have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Celtic Park last week against Qarabag and will head to Azerbaijan for the second leg this Wednesday.

Uefa has told BBC Scotland they are investigating the matter.

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Ronny Deila and his team face a six-hour flight to Baku as they look to keep their dream of making the money-spinning group stages of Europe’s top competition alive.

State of pitch in Baku gives Celtic cause for concern