Kasper Schmeichel responds to Jamie Carragher’s Celtic question regarding ‘your sort of calibre’ club

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Celtic probably ended their chances of securing a top-eight Champions League finish with that Dinamo Zagreb result on Tuesday night.

Before the trip to Croatia, there was hope that, with maximum points, Brendan Rodgers could edge his side closer to a possible automatic place in the round of 16.

But with Celtic’s goalless draw against Zagreb, the tide is now against the champions of Scotland, with four points separating themselves and eighth-placed Lille.

Two games remain for the Bhoys – a home clash against bottom-of-the-table Young Boys after the New Year, before a mouthwatering all-British showdown with Aston Villa on January 29.

As of this moment, Celtic are on nine points and, in the past, in the old format, they have done well just to add a few points to their name before crashing out before the Christmas lights are up.

But this revamped Champions League format has changed things a lot and Jamie Carragher wanted to touch upon it with Kasper Schmeichel.

Kasper Schmeichel is loving the new Champions League format favouring Celtic

Let’s be honest, if this was still the old format, then Celtic would be struggling to progress and the same old problems would be rearing their ugly heads.

But this new format has papered over the financial gulf between certain clubs because, as Kasper mentioned, you are playing a ‘bigger variety of teams’.

This answer came after Jamie Carragher asked the Celtic shot-stopper on CBS if he thinks the new Champions League format provides ‘your sort of calibre of club a better chance’ in this tournament.

“I just wanted to ask about this new format of the Champions League and you are in a great position,” said Carragher. “Do you think this new format has given Celtic and other clubs of your sort of calibre a better chance, in terms of going forward?”

Schmeichel responded: “Personally I have been very positively, not surprised, but I am quite happy with the format. I think it keeps things exciting.

“From a personal point of view, you get to play a much bigger variety of teams. It gives us a chance. I quite enjoy it, to be honest.”

How have Celtic’s upcoming Champions League opponents faired?

You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect game for Celtic up next in Europe – a home clash against the worst team in the competition.

Young Boys are bottom of the group. All defeats and shipped five away to Stuttgart on Wednesday night, despite opening the scoring.

Celtic should secure three points here in their sleep, and if they do, then it takes them to 12 points and that might be enough to secure a play-off spot.

If anything is needed for the trip to Aston Villa on January 29, then that might be a bit of a problem because Unai Emery’s side are on course to finish in the top eight.

Villa beat RB Leipzig last time out, they are sitting fifth in the table and they know maximum points from their remaining matches will get them that automatic spot.

So, Celtic need to get the job done against Young Boys and then they can breathe easy when they travel to the Midlands.