Champions League draw: Linfield to face Welsh opponents in first qualifying draw

Linfield managed to avoid a couple of big-hitters in today’s first round qualifying draw of the UEFA Champions League in Nyon.

David Healy’s men were pitted against The New Saints of Wales with the first leg of the tie to be played in Oswestry early next month.

Swedish champions Malmo and Bodo/Glimt, who beat Celtic in the Europa Conference League last season, were both potential seeded opponents in Group 2.

But the Blues, who were unseeded, will face TNS who won the Cymru Premier title for the ninth time in the past 11 years last season.

It will be the second successive year that the Saints have faced Belfast opposition after they overcame Glentoran in last year's Europa Conference League.

Anthony Limbrick’s men drew 1-1 at the BetMcLean Oval before progressing to the second qualifying round with a 2-0 win at Park Hall in Oswestry.

TNS also beat Cliftonville 2-1 on aggregate in the Europa League in 2011, drawing 1-1 at home before winning 1-0 at Solitude.

This will be the first time Linfield, who won the Irish League title for the fourth successive year last season, will face Welsh opposition in 63 years of European competition.

The first leg of the tie will be played between July 5 and 6 with the return leg scheduled for July 12 or 13.

Exact dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in due course.