Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been discussing the Bhoys’ involvement in the new Champions League format this term and where they hope to make an impression.
Instead of the usual round of games, the Bhoys will take on the challenge of four home matches and four away ties against one-off opponents, facing two teams from each pot they aren’t included in and one from their selected seeding category.
67 Hail Hail will have wall-to-wall coverage of the Champions League draw available, which takes place next Thursday afternoon.
Last term, Celtic finished with four points in their group with Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord, though they did defeat the latter in their last match before exiting the competition to secure their first home win at the top table for over a decade.
In his media conference ahead of the Bhoys’ trip to St Mirren, McGregor has outlined one key moment he believes the team can take belief from in the newly-structured tournament.
Callum McGregor on Celtic’s Champions League motivation
Speaking to official club channels, Celtic captain McGregor believes the Bhoys win over Feyenoord can be a source of motivation in their endeavours next time around.
He stated: “For sure, obviously a new format; I don’t want to say it makes it slightly easier, but in theory, you’re playing more teams around your level and you still have the glamour games within that as well.
“I’ll be a new format for everyone, (everyone will be) excited, but I think even if we were continuing with the old format, I think the win against Feyenoord at the end of the campaign in the last one, that’s probably given the boys a big shot in the arm because for so long it was glorious failure.
“You’re doing well in games; you lose a goal in the last minute to Lazio, the Atletico Madrid game finishes 2-2 when you do enough to probably win the game, so I actually think probably just that game on its own has been enough to give the boys the energy and the belief that we’re good enough.
“We’ve almost got the result there; we’ve now got over the line, we know what it looks like on a Champions League night, so I think that more than anything, but for sure, the new format will change things slightly as well.”
Celtic need to strengthen ahead of European involvement
The talk of the Celtic support is the remaining transfer business left to be done by next Friday. Several positions require strengthening over the coming week, especially if they have designs on competing in the Champions League.
Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that he can understand frustration from supporters, but there is still time for the club to equip him with the tools needed to secure further success.
Celtic have made a strong start to the season. Nevertheless, once the fixture schedule ramps up, added quality is needed to manage domestic and European endeavours. Will that happen? Stay tuned to find out.
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