Celtic fans already know the path to the Champions League phase is boosted via the champions route.
With just one play-off qualifier to play to reach the lucrative league phase, next season will be the final one where the Scottish champions will get a more favourable route to play amongst Europe’s elite clubs.
But who could Celtic draw in the Champions League play-offs? A new projection from Football Rankings shows that this is the best chance Martin O’Neill will ever have of playing Europe’s best clubs next season.
Will Celtic make the Champions League group phase?
What positions does Martin O'Neill need to strengthen to get us there? Let us know in the comments 👇
Seeded status could be crucial for Celtic in the Champions League
The standout detail is who Celtic could face in the qualifier as Football Rankings deliver the projected seedings for the crucial draw next season.
Celtic will avoid the likes of Lyon and Bodo/Glimt. O’Neill also knows that a tricky trip to Athens to face AEK looks off the cards.
However, Celje (Slovenia), Omonia (Cyprus), LASK (Austria), AGF (Denmark) and Viking (Norway) will still pose a threat with the Slovenians ranked the highest in UEFA’s coefficient table in 82nd place.
Celtic still have Champions League work to do
Of course, this is a projection and not confirmed and the final play-off picture could look very different by the time the draw takes place.
However, the early signs are encouraging. With Celtic seeded, they find themselves with a clearer path towards another season competing among Europe’s elite clubs.
For O’Neill, his players and the fans, nothing will be taken for granted. Especially after Celtic’s defeat to Kairat Almaty last season.
But one thing is for sure, the route to a potential £40m Champions League windfall is there to be taken, the Celtic board just need to back O’Neill in the transfer market to reach out and grab it.
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