Peter Grant has rubbished those saying they are content with Celtic playing in the Europa League.
The Hoops had the chance to qualify for the Champions League proper, but they failed to beat Kairat Almaty over two play-off legs.
It will be the first time since the 2021/22 season that Celtic will compete in the Europa League, which supporters are fuming with the board for and have threatened to boycott.
The Champions League got underway this week with Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund all in action on the first night.
Instead, the best Celtic have in front of them is AS Roma and Feyenoord – and Grant says people can’t just settle for that.
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Grant on Celtic competing in the Europa League this season
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, former Celtic defender Grant thinks it is ‘absolute garbage’ that some people are content with the Bhoys in the Europa League.
Asked initially how disappointed he is watching Champions League football with Celtic not in it, Grant replied: “Gutted as I said.
“I think the most important thing as the champions (of Scotland), you want to get into the Champions League, there’s absolutely no doubt of that – you miss that.
“I know people keep saying: ‘Aw they’re in the Conference League or Europa League’. Absolute garbage. For me, there is only one and you want to be in the Champions League against the best.
“It only makes your club better, it makes your players better, all these things. So there’s no getting away from that fact.
“Watching that (Champions League football on Tuesday) last night, some of the games were brilliant. I was watching Juventus vs Dortmund and you’re thinking: ‘This could be Celtic.’
“All these games coming up and you’re thinking to yourself: ‘God almighty, I wish Celtic were in there.’ These are special occasions.
“And I know you’ve got the European games with Roma and that, yes. But when you hear that Champions League music, that’s the one you want.”
Celtic’s full Europa League fixture list
Here’s a reminder of the games Celtic will play in the Europa League league phase, which kicks off next Wednesday in Serbia.
The Hoops need to finish in the top eight to qualify automatically for the last 16, or the top 24 to at least reach the knockout phase play-offs.
- Red Star Belgrade (A) – Wednesday 24 September
- Braga (H) – Thursday 2 October
- Sturm Graz (H) – Thursday 23 October
- Midtjylland (A) – Thursday 6 November
- Feyenoord (A) – Thursday 27 November
- Roma (H) – Thursday 11 December
- Bologna (A) – Thursday 22 January
- Utrecht (H) – Thursday 29 January
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