Latest News

Celtic given Champions League incentive

|
Image for Celtic given Champions League incentive

Celtic’s route to the riches of the Champions League group phase is starting to become apparent with the draw for the first two qualifying rounds taking place on June 18.

Only four places are available through the ‘Champions Route’ but only Ajax have a higher co-efficient than the hoops meaning that they will be seeded through each qualifying round.

One very long distance incentive is that if Celtic make it through to the group phase there is a strong chance that they will be in the third group of seeds which will also include Spurs, Ajax, Valencia and Benfica.

Countries such as Switzerland (Young Boys of Berne) and Poland (Plast Gliwice) have less experienced clubs in the draw which means that they have a lower co-efficient but have finished above Basel and Legia Warsaw to take the title.

Last year Celtic crashed out at the third qualifying round which again looks as dangerous as the final Play Off round.

In the unlikely event of the seeded teams winning their ties Celtic’s third round opponents will come from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Azerbaijan, Serbia or Slovenia.

Should they get over that obstacle the final qualifier will be against the champions of Belarus, Switzerland, Kazakhstan or the Czech Republic.

The first round first leg ties will be played on July 9 or 10 and will continue through every midweek during July and August.

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!