Key points
- Here's everything you need to know about Celtic's draw View post
- Slovan Bratislava at home and Aston Villa away View post
- Celtic to face Young Boys at home View post
- Celtic drawn away to Borussia Dortmund View post
- Brendan Rodgers on Celtic's Champions League aim View post
- All 36 teams involved in the Champions League draw View post
Celtic fans will be waiting on tenterhooks to discover their eight opponents’ identity in the new Champions League league phase.
Stylistically, the make-up of the competition has significantly changed from the familiar group stage format of old.
Instead of playing three opponents on two separate occasions, Celtic take on the challenge of operating within a Swiss-style league table, facing off against eight clubs in total – four at home and four away.
The top eight sides progress automatically to the round of 16. Meanwhile, teams who finish ninth to 24th enter the knockout play-off phase for a shot at joining the cream of the crop.
Brendan Rodgers has already earmarked the playoff positions as a realistic yardstick for Celtic to aim for this time around. While the wait for the draw ensues, the Bhoys are still working hard on the transfer front to equip him with the best tools for success amid their sound financial capability.
Throughout the afternoon, 67 Hail Hail will have live build-up, coverage and reaction to the draw as excitement builds ahead of all being revealed, so welcome aboard and stay tuned!
Thank you for joining our live coverage!
It’s been a pleasure to guide you through this draw and thank you very much to everyone who joined 67 Hail Hail’s live coverage as Celtic discovered their Champions League opponents.
Full fixture details will be released on Saturday, so there is plenty of time to check for your passports or simply get excited about the hefty European schedule on the horizon.
Undoubtedly, Celtic will finalise full details in due course, but for now, it’s goodbye from me; I think I need a lie-down!
Chris Sutton’s reaction to Celtic’s draw
The man himself, Chris Sutton, has given his opinion on the draw. It is fair to say he is optimistic about Celtic’s Champions League chances!
Here’s everything you need to know about Celtic’s draw
Our main man, John McGinley, has kindly provided everything you need to know about Celtic’s fixture line-up in the Champions League league phase.
What a brilliant draw for Celtic!
Now we know the line-up, how is everyone feeling about the draw? There are so many standout ties, with away trips to Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa and Atalanta bound to attract a hefty away support.
Home ties against Slovan Bratislava, Club Brugge and Young Boys, in particular, represent a chance to get points on the board. You can’t help but feel there is real potential for Celtic in the league phase!
[Link]Slovan Bratislava at home and Aston Villa away
That’s that then, Celtic face Slovan Bratislava at home and an away trip to Aston Villa as their fixture line-up in the Champions League league phase is now complete!
Celtic know four of their league phase ties
Celtic vs Club Brugge, Celtic vs RB Leipzig, Atalanta vs Celtic and Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic is all the information you need to know so far!
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Celtic to face Club Brugge at home
Celtic will face Club Brugge at home in their latest instalment of star-studded names.
[Link]Celtic drawn away to Atalanta
Celtic have been drawn away to last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta.
[Link]Two German heavyweights for Celtic in Pot 1
Celtic have been pitted against RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund from Pot 1, with the former travelling to Glasgow and the latter hosting the Bhoys at Signal Iduna Park. Unbelievable stuff!
Celtic drawn away to Borussia Dortmund
Celtic have been drawn away to Borussia Dortmund. Wow! What a fixture that is.
[Link]Celtic still yet to be drawn
For those not watching, this draw procedure consists of Cristiano Ronaldo pressing a button for fixtures to randomly generate per opponent. It is rather interesting.
[Link]The technical procedure takes place
The technical procedure is underway, Celtic are minutes away from finding out their Champions League opponents. Fixture dates will be released on Saturday.
[Link]Celtic’s motivation to build on in the Champions League
Callum McGregor referenced the Bhoys’ triumph over Feyenoord last season as a potential launchpad for this season’s new format last week.
He stated: “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.”
Later, he added: “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.”
While we wait for Celtic’s opponents to be revealed
I have to admit, the process of the draw usually drags out a little longer than expected.
However, if you want some fun Celtic trivia in the meantime, I’ll give you bonus points if you can answer this.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin enters the stage
Aleksander Čeferin has entered the stage as Gianluigi Buffon receives the UEFA President’s award, and he has referred to him as the ‘best goalkeeper ever in history’ upon arrival. Kasper Schmeichel might have something to say about that!
The Champions League draw is now underway!
All of a sudden, I can hear the sound of feint Champions League music in the distance. We are now underway!
[Link]It’s almost time for Celtic to find out their opponents
Celtic are gearing up for a third consecutive tilt at the Champions League and we are now on the verge of the draw commencing. Stay tuned!
Celtic enter as Scotland’s sole representative
In the green corner, Celtic enter the draw as Scotland’s sole representative. There are only a few minutes to go now. Are you excited yet?
The key changes for Celtic compared to last year
I’ve already noted most of these changes, but it is worth remembering that Celtic can’t play more than two clubs from one country in the league phase.
They also face two teams from each pot, one at home and one away.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic’s Champions League aim
Earlier this month, Brendan Rodgers spoke about Celtic’s aim of reaching the Champions League knockout phase playoff berths.
Here is what he had to say: “For me, I want us to be able to get into a play-off position. I think that it’s a balance because you’re playing teams that are at a really high level, but you’ve now got 8 games.
“We are also being realistic as well, the club has won one game in so many years at home. That shouldn’t stop us pushing. I think that with the right quality of player at that level that can help us then I believe we can do that. I’ve got every confidence that we can do that.”
[Link]Celtic await their Champions League fate in Monaco
With the way the summer has gone in Glasgow, I wouldn’t mind being in Monaco at this time of year!
Never fear, as Celtic supporters will soon have the chance to get their passports out to follow the Bhoys across Europe.
All 36 teams involved in the Champions League draw
Before we get cracking, here’s a reminder of all 36 sides involved in today’s Champions League draw and their respective projected pots.
I could do it, but I’ve chosen to hand this one over to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano on this occasion!
Hello and welcome
Oasis isn’t the only thing back by popular demand this week as Celtic enter the Champions League for the third consecutive season.
I’m Sean Markus Clifford, and I’ll be guiding you through today’s draw, sizing up potential opponents, explaining prospective scenarios in the new format, and building excitement ahead of what is set to be another exciting European campaign.
Celtic will face four one-off home ties and another four away from home as the Champions League’s expansion promises to make the competition bigger and better than ever.
Located in Pot 3, the Bhoys are set to be drawn against two sides from each of the four groupings. Kicking off at 5 pm, some mouthwatering ties are in store, pitting Celtic against the cream of the crop on their journey.
Brendan Rodgers knows his side has to be at their best to stand a chance of claiming precious points. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the coverage before the scramble for tickets, travel, and the planning of flight routes commence.
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