Celtic romped past RB Leipzig last night to make it seven points in the Champions League.
Their opening four fixtures have brought two wins and a draw with the German giants dispatched as well as Slovan Bratislava.
The less said about the Borussia Dortmund defeat the better while a heroic defensive performance away at Atalanta secured a goalless draw and a strong point on the road.
The Hoops know it will be the first eight clubs in the newly revamped League Phase of the competition who make it through to the next stage automatically.
But there is still a good opportunity for progression for the clubs finishing between ninth and all the way up to 24th with the knockout playoffs taking place the weeks of 11/12 and 18/19 February, 2025.
Brendan Rodgers will hope his side are still in the mix for that – if they can’t do the unthinkable and finish in the top eight spots – and with seven points already on the board, there should be an optimism around success. The manager’s side equalled a 14-year Hoops record last night and can feel proud.
The pathway to that knockout playoff still goes through Parkhead with the Scottish champions still boasting two home fixtures to come in this season’s League Phase.
Celtic’s next four Champions League fixtures
The next four matches will throw up different challenges for Rodgers and his squad.
Club Brugge are the next challengers to come to Celtic Park on November 27 while Celtic will then make the trip to Dinamo Zagreb on December 10.
After that, in the New Year, comes the clash with Young Boys on January 22 in Glasgow before the final clash with Aston Villa down south one week later.
When will the Champions League knockout playoffs be played and will Celtic be involved?
- Knockout phase play-offs: 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025
- Round of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025
- Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025
- Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025
- Final: 31 May 2025
Fans will undoubtedly be tallying up the potential points expected with two more wins essentially guaranteeing a chance at a playoff.
Celtic’s form will also have the players as well as staff and the support confident of picking up points and sealing passage to the next phase.
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