A very possible sequence of events could hand Celtic an advantage in the first Glasgow Derby of the season.
It’s all due to the differing schedules of the three UEFA competitions after their respective changes in format two years ago.
Celtic will enter the Champions League qualifiers at the final hurdle, as they did last season, where they suffered a humiliating defeat to Kairat Almaty.
Should they avoid a similar indignity this time around, they are very likely to have a preparation advantage over Derek McInnes’ side.
Celtic’s first five 2026/27 Scottish Premiership fixtures
Thoughts Celtic fans? 🤔
Celtic will have free week for Glasgow Derby in event of Champions League qualification
Since the tournament formats changed, the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League have all started on different weeks.
This is to allow UEFA to stretch matches from Tuesday to Thursday, ensuring visibility for all of their competitions.
READ MORE: SPFL chief’s statement addresses Celtic opening day fixture complaints
The opening matchday of the League Phase of the Champions League will thus take place on 8-10th September.
The Europa League won’t commence until the week after, just days before the first Glasgow Derby on September 20th at Celtic Park.
Rangers enter the Europa League in the third qualifying round, meaning that they will need to win two rounds to ensure participation in Europe’s secondary competition.
Of course, if they fail in their bid for qualification, they won’t have an occupied midweek. And the technicalities don’t end there.
Scottish teams in the play-off round have the right to postpone their league match on that weekend, though Celtic didn’t do that last year.
If, for whatever reason, Martin O’Neill decides to take up this option, the midweek prior to the derby becomes a likely slot to which the game could be rescheduled.
👀 A reasonable figure?
Martin O’Neill on Celtic recruitment for Champions League play-off
Asked by Track Radio about the importance of recruitment for Europe after his permanent appointment: “Absolutely, [recruitment is going to be key]. You’ve nailed it. It’s exactly right.
“We get a two-legged qualification game towards the end of August time.
“The teams that you felt you could definitely beat in, let’s say, early November, you would find really difficult to beat in, let’s say, the second or third week in August, because of the match advantages that they would have over you.
“So yeah, it’s fraught with difficulty in that sense. Celtic failed last year to make it [against Kairat], probably in two games where they would’ve been expecting to go through.
“So I will be concerned, but as you say, excited at the same time that there’s an opportunity for that.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
