THE Champions and Europa League qualifiers are now at the crucial second leg stage of the current qualifying round and the Scottish sides involved are in various states of comfort/distress.

Celtic could be facing the most embarrassing cup exit of all time if they cannot retrieve a 1-0 deficit against Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps at Parkhead tonight (Wednesday, live on Premier Sports, 7.45pm kick-off).  

The bookmakers have effectively written off the first leg as an aberration and fully expect the Bhoys to avoid being the ‘shock of Gibraltar’. They are no bigger than 1/25 to win the game, with a cataclysmic draw at 18/1 (Ladbrokes) and a Red Imps win at 80/1 (Betvictor).  

Celtic are 1/12 (Betvictor/Paddy Power) to qualify whereas Lincoln are 17/2 (Boylesports). If you prefer the handicap route, Celtic are -1 at 1/6. You have to get to -3 on the handicap to get an odds against quote for Celtic - 13/10 with Paddy Power.  

Lincoln have disposed of Andorran outfit Santa Coloma and Estonians Flora Tallinn in the last two seasons, so it is fair to say they are not the no-hopers that say, their national team are. However, if you fancy the Red Imps to progress to the next round, you do need a lot of help from Celtic. The problem with two-legged ties is the favoured team have two bites of the cherry and while sticking a cheeky tenner on the 17/2 upset would not be the worst bet in the world, the reluctant conclusion is that it would not be a winning wager.  

Prediction: Celtic 3 Lincoln Red Imps 0.    

Aberdeen were by far the most successful of the Scottish contingent, racking up a 3-0 advantage in their Europa League qualifier to take to Ventspils in Latvia tomorrow night (Thursday, Premier Sports; 4pm kick-off). The Dons are 10/11 (Hills) to record another victory, the draw being 13/5 and Ventspils 3/1.

Whether Aberdeen win, lose or draw on Thursday, they have almost certainly done enough to qualify (1/250 with Skybet) and the game makes no appeal as a betting medium.  

Prediction: Ventspils 0 Aberdeen 0.

Hearts face Birkirkara (8pm) following a dreary stalemate in the first leg. The Stripes basically played for the 0-0 and celebrated at the final whistle as if they had won the competition. Hearts are 4/9 (Stan James/Hills), another draw 7/2 and Birkirkara 7/1. The Maltese outfit did take West Ham to penalties last season but Hearts should have this one done and dusted long before then.  

Prediction: Hearts 2 Birkirkara 0.

Hibernian lost to a first-minute goal against Brondby and perhaps more predictably, new manager Neil Lennon was dispatched to the stands for arguing with the officials.  

The Hi-Bees have a tough task in the second game (Premier Sports; 7pm kick-off) and the Danes are 2/5 to add to their first-leg advantage. A 90-minute draw is 18/5 (Betvictor) and Hibs 15/2 (Unibet). Brondby are 1/8 (Bet365) to qualify and those odds should be landed.  

Prediction: Brondby 2 Hibernian 1.

Hot on the heels of Henrik Stenson’s thrilling triumph at the Open, the Senior Open takes place at Carnoustie starting tomorrow (Thursday, Sky Sports 4).

German stalwart Bernhard Langer is the 4/1 favourite with the layers. Miguel Angel Jimenez is 11/2 (Bet365/Betvictor), Colin Montgomerie 9/1, Billy Andrade 22/1 and Joe Durant 28/1. All the other competitors are 33/1 and bigger with most bookies offering each-way terms 1/4 odds the first five places.  

Other markets are limited in quantity but include top five or top 10 finish, whether there will be a play-off and first round leader.