Celtic knows that if they win the league this season then the club will have to negotiate a Champions League group stage qualifier.
Brendan Rodgers has had immediate access to the Champions League group stages over the last two seasons down to Scotland’s high ranking coefficient, but next season, all that changes for Celtic.
Thankfully, though, the task to reach the lucrative group stage is not impossible as Celtic will go into the third-round qualifying stage for UEFA’s elite competition.
However, these fixtures have been notoriously difficult to negotiate in the past. But it seems that the SPFL are keen to see Celtic progress in the tournament after an announcement was released on their website this morning that will delight the Parkhead club but not their opponents.
- READ MORE: ‘I haven’t had that before’ – Hearts’ James Wilson admits Celtic gave him a career first at Parkhead
SPFL to allow Celtic to postpone league fixture to focus on Champions League qualification
In a statement released on the SPFL’s official website, the league’s governing body is allowing teams participating in the third round qualification stage of any European competition to postpone one league fixture before the crucial match.
With Celtic already in the draw, this is good news for the club, but there is a caveat that could disappoint whichever opponent the Parkhead club is due to face before the qualification fixture.
The statement said: “The Competitions Working Group – which includes a number of top flight clubs – has now unanimously made a recommendation to the SPFL Board to introduce a policy allowing any club participating in a match in a UEFA Club Competition Play-Off round to apply to the SPFL for a postponement of its William Hill Premiership round 3 match without the consent of its opponent. To date, any such postponement would have required the agreement of the opposing club and the league.”
Why the SPFL have decided to help Celtic and Scottish clubs in Europe
For years, Celtic and other clubs participating in European competitions have had to deal with a congested fixture schedule prior to important European play of ties.
So why the sudden change of heart by the SPFL. Well, the governing body has admitted that the financial benefit of Celtic and other clubs reaching the group stages of European competition to its other member clubs is a driving force behind this policy change.
Calum Beattie, SPFL chief operating officer, said: “We are understandably very keen to support our clubs in qualifying for the league phase of UEFA competitions.
“There are huge benefits in having our clubs in the latter stages of European football. Not only does it help Scotland’s UEFA coefficient ranking and the reputation of our league, but there are clear commercial benefits for the competing clubs, as well as important solidarity payments for our non-participating clubs.
“It is possible we will have a number of clubs participating in the play-off round for UEFA competitions in season 2025/26, but due to the extremely congested nature of our fixture calendar, our options to support clubs are unfortunately very limited.
“This new policy has received extremely positive feedback from our clubs on the SPFL Competitions Working Group, which believe it will be beneficial in their aims of reaching the league phase of UEFA competitions, and we’re pleased to be introducing it for next season.”
The new policy is in place from season 2025/26 and it will undoubtedly be welcomed by Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic’s participation in the new-style group stages this season not only enhanced the club’s European reputation but also that of Scotland’s amongst their peers on the continent.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
