Peter Lawwell believes that Celtic can still reach the knock out phase of the Champions League- if they get drawn in a group like Leicester.
Claudio Ranierri’s side booked their place in the last 16 after matchday five, at the same stage Celtic bowed out unable to catch Borussia Monchengladbach for the consolation of a Europa League place.
As English champions Leicester were seeded to go into pot one avoiding the champions of top nations such as Spain. As champions of Scotland Celtic were given three qualifying rounds before being placed into pot four where they were drawn out with the Spanish champions Barcelona, Manchester City and Monchengladbach.
Porto, Copenhagen and Club Brugges made up Leicester’s opponents in Group G.
The qualifying process and seedings are all geared against clubs like Celtic making progress with further changes planned to make life even more difficult.
Lawwell has his work cut out trying to make a case for the smaller nations but believes that it is possible to progress beyond the group phase.
“To be fair we were in the most difficult group; we had an English team, a Spanish team and a German team this season,” the Celtic chief told the Evening Times. “We were up against three clubs from the biggest nations so it is extremely difficult.
“Perhaps in a different group, it might have been a different story. The group Leicester were in might have given us a better chance but overall I think we could consider that we have given a good account of ourselves.
“We have shown we can compete and this is only the first year. Brendan is just in the door here but we have shown that we can organise and we can compete and that can only get better.”
Celtic complete their campaign tomorrow night away to Manchester City.
