The dust has settled on the Champions League draw and the verdicts are in for both Celtic and Rangers.
Whoever Scotland's top sides landed in the glitz and glamour of the group stage was always going to signal an immensely tough task to come but that's been outweighed by the sheer excitement of two Premership clubs being back in the big time. And it's no exaggeration to say both sets came away from the big reveal with a real buzz.
Celtic have been drawn against holders Real Madrid plus RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk. Rangers, meanwhile, will take on last season's runners-up Liverpool as well as Napoli and Ajax. Given it's been a decade-and-a-half since the SPFL had two representatives at UEFA's top table, it's safe to say those groups were worth the wait. Pundits' phones will have been ringing off the hook for some reaction and hot takes in the wake of Celtic and Rangers' opponents being finalised.
Here's a round-up of what they've had to say.
Kris Boyd
Boyd told Sky Sports: “When you get to this stage of the competition you are just delighted to be there. To draw Liverpool, a battle of Britain, I’m sure the boys will be looking forward to it. It’s a great occasion for Rangers to be back in the elite level of European competition after a long time away from it. Confidence was built from a fantastic run last year, but with Ajax and Napoli as well it makes for a good group.
“When you look at some of the groups it could have been a lot worse, but every group will be difficult. With Ajax, Calvin Bassey will be going back to Ibrox as well, so soon after leaving for that massive transfer fee in the summer, so I’m sure he’s looking forward to that.
“Liverpool, for everyone in Britain, will be a great occasion with two clubs with great history going head to head. I’m sure that will be one everyone is tuning in for. Napoli were third last year in Serie A and have started the season really well. You would expect Liverpool to win the group and the rest, we will wait and see what happens, but I’m sure Rangers will be in there with a fighting chance.”
Chris Sutton
"Get ready for the Battle of Britain! Scottish clubs have taken a few scalps over the years and Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have shown, even in this year's qualifiers, that they're a good side.
"They won't fear facing Liverpool. They'll relish it and Ryan Kent will want to show his boyhood club the progress he's made. Rangers will also face Calvin Bassey of Ajax - after the defender left them for the Dutch side in the summer.
"Celtic captain Callum McGregor said he'd love to draw champions Real Madrid and he's got his wish. That's the glamour tie. It will be interesting to see how Celtic handle the Champions League.
"Ange Postecoglou's side play the Manchester City way - they use inverted full-backs and take the game to other teams - but can they take a different approach? Whatever happens, they'll look to leave a few of these opponents with a bloody nose."
Stuart Pearce
"Rangers vs Liverpool, that will be sensational. When you see those two come up against each other... when any of the two big Scottish clubs come up against an English team it always sparks the interest.
"The numbers Celtic take (to away games) amazes me every time, incredible support. Certainly, they'll have to rely on their home form to be helpful if they're going to get out of this group."
Brian Laudrup
Laudrup told the Daily Mail: "Wow. After 12 years away from the Champions League, yesterday's group stage draw unmistakably shows Rangers are back in the big time. This is the real stuff. As tough as it gets, really.
"But Rangers fans will absolutely relish it. And so will Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players.
They are getting to test themselves at the very highest level and they won't approach the immense challenge ahead with any fear. Group A is stamped with Champions League quality. After doing so well in the Europa League in recent seasons, I think my old club wanted to feel they were right in beside the elite this time
"They have that for sure. But there's another side to this. If you asked any of the other teams in the section, I'd guess they wouldn't have fancied Rangers from pot four or a trip to Ibrox in particular. They will love the atmosphere and the fact it's a real football stadium. But it's now a place where opponents go with a little bit of trepidation.
"Talking of storylines, a Battle of Britain against Liverpool is just incredible for the media and supporters. Jurgen Klopp's team haven't started this season firing on all cylinders. We don't know what form they will be in by the time they come to Ibrox but maybe just maybe there can be chances against them.
"In contrast, Napoli have made a great opening to Serie A. It's an extremely tough place to go, I know that from my time in Italy, but this Rangers squad has built so much experience."
Kris Commons
"Real Madrid is the one true European giant that Celtic haven't played this century. The task of taking something from them hardly needs explaining. Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are right up there with the finest players in the world.
"But these are the games that you dream of as a player and a supporter. You have to savour them. What a prospect it is. There have been some epic nights at Celtic Park down the years but the visit of the 14-times winners and reigning European champions might just top the lot. For the away supporters to finally go to the famous Santiago Bernabeu, that will fulfil a lifetime's ambition for so many of them.
"Madrid, naturally, will be clear favourites to win the group comfortably but your first thought is that there could be a very interesting fight between Celtic, Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig for second and third slots. The fact Celtic have beaten both of those sides at Parkhead will help them psychologically, even though the wins against Shakhtar were a good while ago now.
"The fact is that you can't have any passengers in these matches. Everyone has to turn up on the day. And provided every Celtic player does that in the six games, they are capable of pulling off something special."
