Gary Lineker uses Real Madrid to put Celtic’s Champions League success ‘into perspective’ before Aston Villa tie

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Celtic have proven that they can compete with Europe’s elite in this season’s Champions League campaign.

With wins against Young Boys, RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has successfully negotiated the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2013.

Sitting in 18th place, Celtic have the opportunity to secure a seeded playoff place if the Bhoys can get a positive result at Aston Villa in Birmingham tonight.

No matter what happens tonight at Villa, Celtic manager, Rodgers, is guaranteed at least two more European ties and that has led to former England hero, Gary Lineker, to put the Hoops’ Champions League achievement ‘into perspective’.

• READ MORE: Ally McCoist shares what he won’t be doing when Celtic play Aston Villa and makes Bhoys confession

Gary Lineker looks ahead to Champions League ‘madness’ as Celtic face Aston Villa

Clearly impressed with Celtic’s Champions League exploits and after the Bhoys secured their playoff place, Lineker namechecked some of Europe’s super clubs to prove just how big the Hoops’ achievement is.

Lineker told The Rest Is Football, “Just to give it a bit of perspective, they’re [Celtic] level on points with Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus.

“In fact, only one point separates eighth from eighteenth. So a win on the final day, you can jump a long way forward.

“It’s going to be madness. I mean, the final day, everyone’s playing at the same time on the Wednesday.”

Gary Lineker looks ahead to ‘rocking’ Aston Villa vs Celtic Champions League tie

“I think Villa would probably get in the top eight,” continued Lineker, “Though, I mean, they’ve got… Well, they’ve got Celtic at home, and Celtic are assured, aren’t they, of being in that mid-table stage in the playoffs.

“So Villa at home would be rocking. A massive game to get in the top eight and that should be really good because the Premier League would have three teams in the top eight and that would be really good in terms of securing a fifth Champions League spot for next season.”

Lineker is obviously unaware that Celtic could nab a top-eight Champions League place tonight if the Parkhead club beat Aston Villa and results in other matches go their way.

Celtic fans can watch the big Champions League tie and how the night pans out on TNT Sports in the hope that the Hoops can do the unthinkable and nab automatic qualification.