So it’s been revealed that Celtic haven’t been drawn out as one of the lucky two sides to receive a bye in the Europa League third qualifying round – so what?
Yes, Ludogrets and Tirana were the fortunate duo who were given the playoff spots without actually having to qualify for them (Glasgow Times).
However, we should hardly be rolling our eyes and giving it the “just our luck” kind of look.
In fact, if anything, not being given a Europa bye could actually work out to be a positive for Neil Lennon’s men.
There are definitely some tough names potentially in the hat for the third qualifying round. We could end up against the likes of Astana, Slovan Bratislava, or Djurgardens just to name a few. There are decent outfits in there.
But this is a Celtic side who are in desperate need of some more fixtures wherever they can get them. With two centre-forwards in Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala who still apparently aren’t fit, this gives them another opportunity to get minutes into their legs ahead of some crucial matches.
After the current international break, Celtic are only scheduled to have four domestic matches before the next one. That adds up to one domestic fixture per week, with the Europa tie flung in on September 24th.
An opportunity and not a hindrance
It’s hardly a schedule that should drain the players. If truth be told, it’s another fixture that gives the manager the opportunity to help improve sharpness before the play-off round and indeed a massive derby against Rangers in October.
In addition to that, the last thing we really deserve is a bye. It should be in these players’ minds to go and make their mark on the continent this season and show our Europa League rivals what we’re capable of.
Being in the third qualifying round gives Celtic the chance to show that they’re too good for this level. A chance to remind Europe that we are still a team to be feared.
Sure, winning a Europa League third qualifying round tie is hardly going to have your club’s reputation being heralded across the continent. But it’s a building block. A chance to face another nation and show them how good a team you actually are. Something the players must be itching to do.
After the embarrassment of the Europa League exit to Ferencvaros, the third qualifying round provides us with yet more much-needed game-time as well as a chance to start rebuilding our reputation again.
Celtic simply have to make the most of it.
In other news, Celtic have managed to tie down an impressive young talent on a new three-year deal.
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