Celtic’s UEFA second round Champions League qualifying tie against Linfield could be switched in order that the first leg is played at Celtic Park.

PSNI have voiced their concerns about the policing of the fixture, a game that takes place at the height of the Orange Order marching season in Belfast, a traditionally fraught time in the city.

Tensions around the marches and the nature of their routes require full policing meaning that having the game on the 12th July in Belfast was always going to appear unlikely given the serious reservations of the PSNI.

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It is believed that Celtic’s preference would be to play the opening leg in Glasgow with the return leg a week later, although it remains to be seen if the switch goes through.

In any case, it is certain that the game will not go ahead on July 12th.

An agreement has been brokered that if the game is held in Belfast it will be on the 11th July with an anticipated 5pm kick-off, although last night Celtic were still looking to broker a deal to have the first leg in Glasgow ahead of concerns regarding the powderkeg nature of the fixture.

The return leg is due to be played just a week later and the first-leg in Glasgow would allow for some of the sting to be taken from the tie as well.

Speaking after the draw, Linfield chairman Roy McGivern said: "We had a chat with UEFA and we had ruled out July 12 for obvious reasons, purely from a practical point of view.

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"Our preference is to play the home leg first, for financial reasons that’s obvious the best thing for us.

“At this stage the first-leg would be on July 11, potentially with an early kick-off but there are discussions going on at home now with the PSNI to see how that would be managed.

“That is the preferred option at the moment but there have been no discussions about switching the games at all.

“Celtic are relaxed about it and they seem happy enough to play in Belfast on July 11.

“But from a football point of view it is fantastic.

“I had lunch with Celtic’s representatives after the draw and we’ve had initial discussions about the games.

“Obviously we have a two-legged tie against La Fiorita first and we won’t get ahead of ourselves, but with the second qualifying round so soon after, it is vital to start thinking about arrangements now for a potential blockbuster tie.”