Celtic’s projected Champions League play-off position could hand the club a huge opportunity to reach the league phase this season.
The projections are not final and plenty can still change before the qualifying picture becomes official, but Celtic currently being placed among the seeded clubs would give them a significantly better route than many supporters are used to seeing.
After a brutal and costly qualification failure last season for Celtic, that matters.
Celtic’s projected Champions League route looks far more manageable
The latest projected seedings suggest Celtic would currently avoid several of the stronger clubs in the play-off round.
Projected unseeded opponents include:
- Omonia
- LASK
- AGF
- Viking
- Mjallby
None of those ties would be easy and Celtic supporters know better than most that qualification rounds can quickly become dangerous.
Still, it is difficult to ignore how much more manageable that route looks compared to some of the draws Celtic have faced in previous campaigns.
The club’s standing in the UEFA coefficient rankings is now giving the Parkhead club a genuine opportunity to take advantage of a stronger seeding position.
Celtic now have to make this opportunity count
This is where Celtic must show they have learned from recent European disappointments.
Supporters have watched qualification campaigns collapse before, including damaging performances that should never have happened against inferior opposition.
That is why this projected draw matters so much.
If the projections remain close to reality, Celtic could be handed a route into the league phase that supporters would fully expect to navigate successfully.
The pressure that comes with that expectation will increase, but so will the opportunity.
Celtic may not receive many better chances to return to the Champions League league phase and they cannot afford to waste this one if it arrives.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
