The city's hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops will be in the money when thousands of visiting fans arrive to see Celtic play the Spanish giants as well as legendary Portuguese side Benfica and Spartak Moscow in the group stages of the UEFA competition, says Glasgow's tourism boss.

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "This is a welcome boost for local businesses as they have a chance to showcase what they can offer.

"Our research shows that more than 500 extra hotel rooms are taken up when Celtic play a Champions League home match.

"The warm welcome of local people and the vibrancy of the city will encourage return visits and spread the word from spectators of how fantastic a city Glasgow is to their families and friends back home, as well as to millions watching the matches on TV.

"Celtic have brought great prosperity to Glasgow over the years and its success in qualifying for the group stages in the UEFA Champions League is brilliant news to Glasgow and Scotland."

Celtic's qualification to the group stages will provide a £1.5million boost to Scottish Premier League clubs. This money comes from Uefa, which distributes cash payments to each participating country, depending on various stages reached by clubs in the European top-flight leagues.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster said the funds would offset "the financial damage caused by the loss of Rangers".

The dates for Celtic's home matches are September 19, when they play Benfica; November 7 v Barcelona; and December 5 v Spartak Moscow.

Tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders from 9.30am tomorrow.Sale dates for non-season ticket holders will be announced soon after.

Celtic fans, who last saw their team play Barcelona in the competition in 2008, will also be rushing to book up trips to Spain. That match will be on October 23.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

SECOND WIND – PAGES 50,51