Celtic’s projected Champions League opponents revealed
AGF Aarhus of Denmark, NK Celje of Slovenia, Viking FK of Norway, LASK Linz of Austria, and Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus.
Qualification for the Champions League group stages is vital for a club of Celtic’s stature, not just for the prestige, but the financial rewards that are on offer, which are currently at an all time high with a minimum figure of £30 – £40 million to be made just for competing in the newly tweaked group stage format.
Last year we failed in our quest to qualify for the fourth consecutive year, frustratingly falling to Kazakh minnows Kairat. That meant we had to make do with a place in the Europa League, but it was probably a blessing in disguise due to the state of our squad last season, as one can only wonder what humiliation we would have endured at that elite level.
That was down to the Celtic Board failing disgracefully to build on the previous season when Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side came within a few seconds of beating Bayern Munich on their own turf. No replacement for Kyogo was found and the player who scored in Munich, Nicolas Kuhn was sold for £17m a year ago yesterday.
This year we are in a similar situation as this time 12 months ago due to our last day title win, which sees us just two legs away from mixing it with Europe’s elite, as well as a guaranteed multi-million pound Champions League pay day.
Remember the Europa League earnings are considerably lower than the money available in the Champions League but our board and particularly our principal shareholder confirmed at the club’s AGM that we are there to participate only NOT to compete. That after blaming all the club’s woes on Brendan Rodgers who wanted to compete and re-establish Celtic as a credible club in European football.
Aye that’s right it was all Brendan’s fault, anyway…
The five sides who could stand in Celtic way have now been revealed as a projected list shows our potential opponents, and in there is the major obstacle between Celtic returning to the top level of European football in the play-off ties due to be played on the 18/19 and 25/26 of August.
Celtic will face tricky but winnable ties against the likes of AGF Aarhus of Denmark, NK Celje of Slovenia, Viking FK of Norway, LASK Linz of Austria, and Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus.
That may be potentially difficult ties, but not the worst possible outcome and unlike last year we won’t face a daunting eight hour plus trip for the away fixture in Asia, with the longest trip being the pleasant scenery of Nicosia in Cyprus, a trip I’m sure Celtic travelling supporters would relish!
With Martin O’Neill at the helm, and hopefully a few more quality additions to the side, we can take on whatever side from the projected list with confidence but not complacency and the Celtic Board have to make sure the manager is backed and the squad is strengthened further over the next few weeks.
With Martin O’Neill at the helm, and hopefully a few more quality additions to the side, we can take on whatever side from the projected list with confidence but not complacency and the Celtic Board have to make sure the manager is backed and the squad is strengthened further over the next few weeks.
