Potential implications for Celtic as UEFA make big Champions League decision

By Lewis Laird

May 2, 2022

UEFA has confirmed this evening that Russian sides will be banned from all UEFA club competitions in the 2022/23 season.

This news has a significant impact on Celtic’s Champions League hopes, confirming that the Scottish Premiership champions will go straight into the group stages of the competition.

Ange Postecoglou’s side currently sits in the driving seat to finish top of the league, holding a six-point advantage over rivals Rangers with just three games left to play.

There was always a high chance that this season’s Premiership winners would be heading straight into the group stages.

However, some variables could have impacted Celtic’s hopes, including Spanish side Villereal going on to win the competition this campaign and the involvement of Russian clubs still to be decided.

As reported by journalist Dale Johnson this evening, UEFA has confirmed that Russia will have no affiliated club taking part in any UEFA competitions for next season.

Therefore, this also confirmed the Scottish Premiership winner’s automatic place in the group stages.

In a statement released online, UEFA said, “Russia will have no affiliated clubs participating in UEFA club competitions in the 2022/23 season. Consequently, the respective access lists of the men’s and women’s club competitions have been rebalanced in accordance with the principles set out in the relevant competition regulations.”

This news will come as a massive boost to all involved at the club, with the Hoops edging closer to involvement in the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2017/18 season.

After struggling in the qualifiers over the last few seasons, it has been another long wait for the iconic European nights at Parkhead to make a return.

But, Postecoglou and his players will now be looking forward to experiencing one of the biggest stages of them all in football.

The focus for all involved at the moment, though, is securing our place in the competition in the final three games of the season.

In other news, reported Celtic transfer contingency set for injury lay-off.