The Celtic UEFA signing deadlines for Jablonec and AZ Alkmaar ties

By John McGinley

August 2, 2021

Now Celtic have dropped into the Europa League qualifying path and draws have been made, the route to group stage football for the Bhoys is clear.

If we win ties against Jablonec and AZ Alkmaar we’re there.

If we lose against Jablonec, it’s another drop into the UEFA Conference League playoff to play Tobol on MSK Zilina for a shot at those groups.

With this update comes confirmation of when we have to register players for each round of the qualification process.

Per UEFA rules, the initial List A deadline for the Jablonec tie was actually last Friday 30th July. However, Celtic have until 11pm on Wednesday 4th August to register up to two new signings. That’s for both legs. So if there no new names in the door by Wednesday night they won’t be playing this Thursday abroad or next Thursday at Celtic Park.

The first AZ Alkmaar and Tobol/Zilina deadlines are a bit further away, on Friday 13th August at 11 pm. Celtic would then have until 11 pm the night before the first leg to register another two wildcards, like Jablonec. That’s on Wednesday 18th August.

So, if Celtic have serious ambitions of playing in Europe this season, they know how long they have to get players in the door.

Liel Abada, Carl Starfelt and Kyogo Furuhashi have all arrived on multi-million-pound deals to immediately compete in the first team. But, as Postecoglou himself has admitted, we need quite a few more.

Time really is running out to make this squad a competitive one that can take on quality European opposition. A squad that can be competitive domestically would be welcome enough.

Get it done Celtic!

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