Celtic could really do with a strong showing in UEFA competition next season.
We’ve endured a pretty uninspiring recent period in European competition. While the trophies have rolled in domestically, the good times haven’t been nearly as frequent on the continent.
In fact, we currently sit in the pretty lowly position of 57th in UEFA’s club coefficient table.
Sandwiched between Turkish pair Istanbul Basaksehir and Fenerbahce, we have registered 31.00 points over the past five seasons.
The fact that our city rivals Rangers have 54.00 for the same period shows just how much better we could be doing.
However, the news isn’t all bad. We have another opportunity to improve our fortunes next season.
Qualification for the Champions League group stage has already banked Celtic 4 participation points. (UEFA)
Given that we’ve managed just 6 total points in three of the past five season, and only 3 in season 2020/21, the bonus isn’t to be sniffed at.
Each group stage win will bank us 2 further points with a draw registering 1.
A strong Champions League campaign could have the points rolling in and, crucially, give us a chance to earn even more in the Europa League after Christmas.
After next season, our 2018/19 showing will drop off the far end of UEFA‘s conveyor belt. We earned 6 points back then, so we really need to be bettering that next year.
With 4 already banked, we have every chance of doing so.
Most crucially, we can look forward to a significant head start over the rivals immediately around us.
Real Sociedad are the only team within about 30 places of us who also have Champions League group stage football confirmed.
Of course, other teams will come through qualifying. But it’s nice to have those points already in the bag.
Now we just need to make more of an impact when we actually get in to the competition.
In other news, Celtic are set to be affected after a new format was announced for the UEFA Youth League
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