Celtic eyes on Champions League clash as one outcome in AEK Athens v Dinamo Zagreb would bring coefficient cash boost

Celtic will have their eyes on AEK Athens tonight as Greek progression in the Champions League would see more cash in the Parkhead coffers.

Earlier this month, the Premiership champions were watching Slavia Prague and FC Copenhagen’s third round qualifier with intent. UEFA distributes some of its prize money based on a club’s coefficient ranking over the last 10 years. Celtic sit 50th in those rankings, which means their 10-year payment will come in at €10,233,000 or £9m approximately.

FC Copenhagen came into the qualification section on the Champions Path to the group stage and have a higher one-year coefficient ranking than the Parkhead outfit. The Danes are ranked at 42nd and elimination would have seen Celtic move up the rankings, earning them an extra £900,000. Copenhagen eventually got through against Sparta Prague on penalties but it showed the cash that can be up for grabs, and a similar situation is rolling around in the rearranged match between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb, whose third round qualifier stands at 2-1 in favour of tonight’s Greek hosts, according to Turnover SPFL.