BBC Radio Scotland coverage of the Champions League qualifier is starting now on 810MW.

The programme is presented by Richard Gordon, commentary comes from Liam McLeod in Yerevan, with expert analysis from former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner and former Celtic striker Scott McDonald.

Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew was part of the Celtic team that made it to the Champions League last 16 back in 2012.

He says the qualifying ties are much more gruelling than many supporters realise.

"It’s early in the season and sometimes you don’t get the credit you deserve for these games," Mulgrew told BBC Scotland.

"I'm sure Celtic will be up for it and the manager will have them ready."

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Alashkert coach Abraham Khashmanyan had a full complement of his squad training yesterday.

That means he has every player available who started their final league game of last season in May with a 2-0 win over Gandzasar, plus his eight summer signings.

More on that in a minute...

Alashkert: Cancarevic, Artak Yedigaryan, Voskanyan, Praznovsky, Daghbashy, Artur Yedigaryan, Sekulic, Dashyan, Grigoryan, Reis de Jesus, Nenadovic.

Substitutes: Avagyan, Antonic, Manasyan, Romero Zamora, Sominyan, Stojkovic, Zeljkovic.

Celtic: Gordon, Ajer, Hendry, Simunovic, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, McGregor, Forrest, Edouard, Dembele.

Substitutes: Bain, Sinclair, Morgan, Christie, Allan, Ralston, Kouassi.

Celtic captain Scott Brown has overcome a knee injury picked up in Saturday's 7-0 friendly win over Shamrock Rovers.

But manager Brendan Rodgers is without six potential starters.

Striker Leigh Griffiths and centre-back Marvin Compper are missing again after sitting out the win in Ireland through injury.

And four more are absent because of their participation in the World Cup finals in Russia.

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Central defender Dedryck Boyata's Belgium are facing France in the semi-final today, while Australia midfielder Tom Rogic and right-backs Mikael Lustig, of Sweden, and Cristian Gamboa, of Costa Rica, have been given extra time off after the tournament.

Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard start in a twin France Under-21 attack.

Meanwhile, Jack Hendry, Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic appear poised to make it a three-man central defence.

Full-back Anthony Ralston and midfielders Lewis Morgan, Ryan Christie and Scott Allan all make the bench after returning from last season's loan spells.

The World Cup has only just reached the semi-final stage and, for one of their players - Belgium central defender Dedryck Boyata, the old season continues against France in Russia today, but the new campaign is starting already for the rest of his Celtic team-mates.

The long haul to the Champions League group stage has become even longer this time round, with clubs outside the major leagues being expected to navigate an extra qualifying stage.

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So, if manager Brendan Rodgers is to lead Celtic into those lucrative games for a third season running, they will have to beat three more sides over two legs even if they overcome today's opponents, Armenian champions Alashkert.

We know we are competing for your attention with the build-up to the mouthwatering Belgium v France tie, but stay with us for an aperitif with our live commentary from Armenia on your radio and online.