BRING 'EM ON; Big names Celts could face in play-off battle.

SO who do Celtic want in today's draw? Do they go for glamour and hope to get Arsenal? Or what about Greek side Panathinkaikos, apparently the weakest of the bunch?

UEFA general secretary David Taylor, formerly of the SFA, is to make the draw in Nyon where Tony Mowbray will find out who his side will face in the play-off round, to be played over two legs on August 18/19 and 25/26.

There might be an easier draw but certainly not as easy one.

Record Sport takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the sides Celtic could face.

ARSENAL

Manager: Arsene Wenger Stadium: Emirates Stadium Star Player: Andrei Arshavin History with Celtic: The teams have never met in competitive action, although they've played a number of friendlies in recent years.

The Gunners "stole" Charlie Nicholas from Celtic Park for pounds 750,000 in 1983 then seven years later the Hoops signed Martin Hayes for almost the same fee. Why Tony doesn't want them: When they click, few teams can live with them. There is pace in every department - just ask Rangers who were given a lesson in the first half of last week's friendly.

Wenger is under pressure to deliver a trophy after four barren seasons and is desperate to win the Champions League. Will he allow an SPL side to stand in his way? Why Tony does want them: If he could get the better of such a quality team it would buy him a lot of credit with the fans.

But Arsenal do under-achieve and lost Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor this summer. Some pundits believe they could slip out of the top four this season.

PANATHINAIKOS

Manager: Henk ten Cate Stadium: Olympic Stadium Star Player: Djibril Cisse History with Celtic: The Greeks have never played the Parkhead side. Mowbray's hero from Moscow, Georgios Samaras, would love to return to his homeland and help the Hoops secure a win.

Why Tony doesn't want them: They have invested heavily in the team and players such as Cisse have brought a touch of glamour to the club.

There are new owners who want to make Panathinaikos one of he top names in Europe.

It's not going to happen tomorrow but they really need to play Champions League football for the dream to become reality.

Why Tony does want them: The Greek side are good at home but dreadful away in Europe.

They did reach the final 16 last season and have one or two decent players. However, on paper they probably have the weakest squad out of the five possible opponents Celtic could be paired with in the play-offs.

LYON

Manager: Claude Puel Stadium: Stade Gerland Star Player: Sidney Govou History with Celtic: In 2003 Martin O'Neill's side came to within a few minutes of reaching the last 16 of this competition in Lyon until Bobo Balde gave away a penalty. The French won 3-2 and finished second in the group.

But the French city is probably more infamous for being the venue where Henrik Larsson broke his leg in 1999.

Why Tony doesn't want them: Lyon are one of the most consistent teams in Champions League history. They usually go on a decent run and have just spent in the region of pounds 60million this summer. Why Tony does want them: Lyon are the not the team they once were. Free-kick specialist Juninho is gone and while a lot of money has been splashed out, new signings Lisandro Lopez, Aly Cissokho, Bafetimbi Gomis and Michel Bastos will take time to gel.

Oh, and Jean-Alain Boumsong plays for them and might be good for a mistake or two.

SPORTING LISBON

Manager: Paulo Bento Stadium: Estadio Jose Alvalade Star Player: Helder Postiga History with Celtic: One of Celtic's greatest European wins came in a 5-0 humping of the Portuguese in 1983, a second-leg victory that saw them overturn a 2-0 deficit.

However, a few years later Sporting won at Parkhead thanks to two goals from Jorge Cadete who later signed for Celtic. Why Tony doesn't want them: Celtic never do well in Portugal. Well, apart from one time against an Italian mob.

Sporting have brought down the average age of the team, a problem in the past, and coach Bento has promised to bring back the glory days and a return to attacking football.

Why Tony does want them: The Lisbon sleeping giants have always flattered to deceive.

Rangers put them out a year ago during their run to the UEFA Cup Final. Sporting can do the fancy stuff but actually winning games has been a problem.

STUTTGART

Manager: Markus Babbel Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena Star Player: Alexander Hleb History with Celtic: Parkhead sides don't usually do well against German opposition but they were excellent against Stuttgart on their run to Seville, beating them 3-1 in Glasgow and scoring two in the opening minutes of the second leg to seal the tie.

Andreas Hinkel would be going back to his old club.

Why Tony doesn't want them: Nobody wants to play German opposition. Hleb is a great loan signing. At his best, he's one of the finest playmakers around.

Stuttgart did finish third in one of the best leagues in the world last season, which tells you a lot.

Why Tony does want them: Rangers showed two seasons ago that Stuttgart can be very ordinary.

And while the Germans retain a certain aura, their Champions League record recently has been disappointing. They don't travel well and Celtic, all of a sudden, have learned to win away from home.