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Fresh European Super League plans could see Celtic amongst targeted clubs

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The European Super League is a topic that doesn’t seem to be going away after it was first raised in early 2021.

Some of the richest teams from across the continent have been planning a break away from UEFA’s biggest club competition for well over a year.

Initial plans broke down after fan pressure, which saw several English Premier League sides pull out. However, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have continued to try and push ahead.

Chelsea Celtic
Photo by David Cliff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

In an attempt to continue pushing on with their hopes of forming a European Super League, those clubs have devised several different plans, some of which reportedly involved Celtic.

Although the formation of the new competition hasn’t come any closer, it is still being discussed in 2023, which suggests that Europe’s elite clubs still hold out hope of it coming to fruition.

According to reports earlier today, there are yet more new plans and format ideas for a European Super League, which could potentially see Celtic approached as one of the sides taking part.

As reported by the Telegraph, the fresh strategy being conjured together by the likes of Real and Barcelona could see up to 80 clubs from across Europe involved.

50 clubs are already believed to have been contacted about potentially taking part, and on this occasion, the new competition would not be a ‘closed shop’ to teams.

Currently, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side sits 56th in the UEFA coefficient ranks, which means that the Bhoys could be one of the 60-80 clubs that are being targeted to participate [Sun Sport].

RB Leipzig v Celtic FC: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images

Celtic likely to hold the same strong European Super League stance as they did in 2021

The 2022/23 campaign marked Celtic’s first return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2017, coming up against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Although the Bhoys only came away with one point, Postecoglou and his players showcased their quality in games on the top European stage.

Taking part in the Champions League and going up against some of the best teams from across the globe is always fantastic to see.

However, in my opinion, I can’t see Celtic switching from their initial stance to the European Super League in 2021.

During the crisis that shocked football, former Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell was part of the European Club Association as a member of the board and participated in an emergency meeting.

Celtic European Super League
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Representing Celtic and Scottish Football, Lawwell was understood to be strongly against the breakaway, and I can’t imagine much will have changed.

Of course, the three main clubs pushing for the European Super League have switched up their approach and are now looking to include a whole host of teams by not making it a ‘closed shop’.

However, so much damage was done from that initial proposal, and clubs might be sceptical about entering a new European Super League.

Ultimately, this new development could lead to more change in European competition, such as more revamps to UEFA Champions League.

As of yet, there are plenty of details that haven’t been announced about this new proposal, which could involve upwards of 80 teams.

However, with Celtic’s standpoint in European Football, there is a likelihood that we are one of the clubs that could be approached.

That being said, I’m not sure I see the club switching from our initial stance in 2021 at this moment in time.

In other news, Celtic squad all set for run-in as Giakoumakis exit brings transfer dealings to a close.