Qualification for the Champions League group levels is important for a membership of Celtic’s stature, not only for the status, however the monetary rewards which are on provide, that are presently at an all time excessive with a minimal determine of £30 – £40 million to be made only for competing within the newly tweaked group stage format.
of Celtic challenges for the ball with Yerkin Tapalov of Kairat Almaty throughout the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Spherical First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photograph by Ian MacNicol/Getty Photographs)
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Final yr we failed in our quest to qualify for the fourth consecutive yr, frustratingly falling to Kazakh minnows . That meant we needed to make do with a spot within the Europa League, but it surely was in all probability a blessing in disguise because of the state of our squad final season, as one can solely surprise what humiliation we’d have endured at that elite stage.
That was all the way down to the Celtic Board failing disgracefully to construct on the earlier season when Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic aspect got here inside a couple of seconds of beating on their very own turf. No substitute for was discovered and the participant who scored in Munich, was offered for £17m a yr in the past yesterday.
This yr we’re in the same state of affairs as this time 12 months in the past on account of our final day title win, which sees us simply two legs away from mixing it with Europe’s elite, in addition to a assured multi-million pound Champions League pay day.
Bear in mind the Europa League earnings are significantly decrease than the cash obtainable within the Champions League however our board and notably our principal shareholder confirmed on the membership’s AGM that we’re there to take part solely NOT to compete. That after blaming all of the membership’s woes on Brendan Rodgers who wished to compete and re-establish Celtic as a reputable membership in European soccer.
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Aye that’s proper it was all Brendan’s fault, anyway…
The 5 sides who may stand in Celtic manner have now been revealed as a projected record exhibits our potential opponents, and in there may be the most important impediment between Celtic returning to the highest stage of European soccer within the play-off ties on account of be performed on the 18/19 and 25/26 of August.
Celtic will face tough however winnable ties towards the likes of AGF Aarhus of , NK Celje of Slovenia, Viking FK of , LASK Linz of , and Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus.
Which may be doubtlessly troublesome ties, however not the worst potential end result and in contrast to final yr we gained’t face a frightening eight hour plus journey for the away fixture in Asia, with the longest journey being the nice surroundings of Nicosia in Cyprus, a visit I’m certain Celtic travelling supporters would relish!
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With , and hopefully a couple of extra high quality additions to the aspect, we will tackle no matter aspect from the projected record with confidence however not complacency and the Celtic Board have to verify the supervisor is backed and the squad is strengthened additional over the following few weeks.
And right here’s a mad thought for the Celtic Board. Make investments to qualify and be prepared for the Champions League reasonably than wait to see if we’re going by to the group levels draw earlier than loosening the purse strings.
Simply an Extraordinary Bhoy
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