Celtic are in a healthy position past the halfway stage of the Champions League group phase.
It’s a new format that is favouring the champions of Scotland because, for far too long, it’s been disappointment after disappointment in the Champions League.
Yes, Celtic’s 1-1 draw against Club Brugge was frustrating, in the sense that, before the match, many were expecting a win, especially given how the team performed against RB Leipzig last time out.
But, at the end of the day, it’s the Champions League for a reason and you have to take the rough with the smooth.
Plus, it needs to be noted that this very Club Brugge side beat Aston Villa, so it’s not like the Belgian giants are struggling themselves.
That’s why you take that point as a positive for Celtic and move forward to the remaining three matches.
At a minimum, play-off football should be secured, but can Rodgers go one better and secure a top-eight finish?
James McFadden backs Celtic for a top-eight finish in the Champions League
Celtic are sitting 20th in the league table, three points off fifth-placed Atalanta and with some very winnable games around the corner.
James McFadden saw the positive from the Brugge match and shared ‘it’s actually good for the position that we are in’, as he told Open Goal.
The former midfielder highlighted the three remaining games and how he is positive about a top-eight finish.
“I still think they have a chance of top eight,” said McFadden. “They have got Young Boys at home. Dinamo away and then Villa for the last game.
“They are still in a good position. There are (big) teams that are struggling. It was different (against Club Brugge). They never really troubled the goal. As good as they looked, they weren’t peppering the goal and the goal they get is just calamitous for Celtic.
“Aye (a couple of years ago Celtic would have lost the Brugge game). Before the game, you are thinking ‘right, this is a great chance for Celtic to win’. But when you watch it and, at the end of the game, a point isn’t a disaster. It’s actually good for the position that we are in.”
Who is above and below Celtic in the Champions League standings?
Given that this format is in its baby years, then not many know what to expect, but there are some interesting teams below Celtic in the table.
Amazingly enough, PSG are in the relegation zone and are at risk of dropping out altogether given that life after Kylian Mbappe isn’t starting the way that they wanted.
Added to that, Real Madrid are also below Celtic – hovering above the drop zone and further proving that this format is shaping up to be pretty exciting.
Plus, Dinamo themselves are below Celtic, so beat them next week and a top-eight finish will seem and feel more realistic.
But, in the play-off spots themselves, some big teams are alongside the Bhoys, including Manchester City, Aston Villa, Juventus, AC Milan and Sporting Lisbon.
So, if Celtic do reach the play-offs – a two-legged knockout game – then they could be drawn against a pretty difficult side.
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