BERGAMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 23: Brendan Rodgers Head Coach of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
With the January Transfer Window effectively ending Celtic’s interest in this season’s Champions League some thoughts are turning towards next season.
After three seasons of direct entry into the group stage Celtic return to the qualification route as a result of Scotland’s falling co-efficient.
The SPFL winners will go straight into the Play Off stage which means one two legged tie but it will be against a club that has came through at least one qualifying round.
The good news from this season’s performances is that the club co-efficient has been raised which means that Celtic will almost certainly be seeded in the Play Off draw.
If the almost unthinkable happens and Celtic finish second in the SPFL Premiership they will face two qualifying rounds through the Non-Champions route.
? To prevail in the 2025/26 Champions League Play-offs in the Champions Path qualifiers:
??????? Celtic – 85%
?? Crvena zvezda – 74%
?? Bodø/Glimt – 64%
?? FC Copenhagen – 62%
?? Ferencváros – 59%?? Detailed UCL + UEL + UECL qualifying projections at our P-Page (link in bio). pic.twitter.com/nQFoOd2ot7
— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) February 4, 2025
That all looks promising but as history has shown the qualification route, even just one tie, is fraught with potential problems with the names of Maribor, Malmo, AEK Athens, Cluj, Ferencvaros and Midtjylland hard to shake off.
If the qualification route is successfully negotiated Celtic will be in Pot 4 of the main draw which is no longer the nightmare that it once was.
Every team gets two opponents from each pot which leaves all sorts of options open, as a minimum Celtic should be looking to beat both of their Pot 4 opponents although Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest could prove tricky!
? 2025/26 Champions League – Projected Pots.
?? Complete qualifying projections are posted at our P-Page (link in bio).
? Sign up to to our P-Page (link in bio) to always get early updates + plenty of extra content! pic.twitter.com/oChGkAjYmU
— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) February 4, 2025
The January Transfer shambles is discussed in depth with the blame pointed firmly at Michael Nicholson and his fellow executives. If you like the content take out a free subscription for alerts on future shows.
Should Michael Nicholson lead Celtic's Summer 2025 Transfer Window business?
Yes, he has priceless experience, the only man for the job
No, never again, his failings are piling higher and higher
Kno be as EASY nxt Yr & we almost made an ARSE of it this! Nae YB, Nae Slovan Bratislava! Never mind Liewell & the Tory Bastards il take the 8 game Monbey & invest Fuk Aw as usual!
*Money*
Bit away – But aye… It’ll be a nervy two nights when it comes around for sure !
I don’t blame the Board for not spending big this Transfer window.
We did well in the Group stage, but realistically it took us as far as we were going to get!
Two wins against Brugge and Zagreb would probably have seeded us for the draw and given us some hope. But it didn’t happen!
I believe we have enough fire-power to win the League and hopefully the Cup again!
So, why then would you spend money when we are not going to win the UCL?
Editor: To improve the squad, build momentum and prepare for a UCL Play Off next season. When you apply the handbrake in football you go into reverse, there is a big world outside of finishing about Tavpen and his pals.
Getting a £25 M player in, in Jota, is hardly
“Applying The Handbrake”!
The negativity is astonishing at times…or are huns writing on Celtic pages ? The “lack” of one striker isn’t a good excuse for failing to put a dent in Bayern. Celtic are a different club and have often come up trumps against the odds. They even beat the best Barcelona team, with one of the greatest ever mid-field trios anywhere in the world !!! They won’t be favourites, but …. Yes its bad not to invest at the right times, but its also bad not to throw money at greedy clubs for lesser players than you might get in the summer for that or less money. Those who do are called Sevco, or a tribute act, or whatever.
Editor: We know all that but this time the club has chosen to go into a Champions League tie with a weaker squad, a huge difference. Not bad luck, injuries or anything else but a decision to sell the first choice striker and not replace him.