Celtic’s Pathway to 2025/26 Champions League Qualification | OneFootball

Celtic’s potential pathway to 2025/26 UEFA Champions League qualification has been revealed…

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are still in contention of qualifying for the last 16 of this season’s competition – despite a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of German giants Bayern Munich at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening.

However, unlike the past three seasons for the Hoops, automatic Champions League entry will be no more for the winners of the Scottish Premiership with qualifiers being reintroduced to Celtic for the first time since 2021/2022 campaign.

Late August Play-off Round for Celtic with likely opponents named

According to ‘Football Rankings’ on X, Celtic are projected to enter the playoff round of qualification in Europe’s elite club competition where they will be seeded in the ‘Champions Path.’

Rodgers’ men will then have to compete in a two-legged affair across 19/20 August and 26/27 August. The winner of the tie will gain entry to the Champions League with the losers cosigned to Europa League football for the rest of the season.

Subject to change, Celtic are currently predicted to face one of: FC Basel, Qarabag, Slovan Bratislava, Ludogorets Razgard or Sturm Graz for a place in the Champions League for the fourth season on the trot.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.

Celtic’s focus will be on the Allianz Arena

Focus firmly remains on pulling off an historic result on Tuesday evening at the Allianz Arena in Bavaria. Daizen Maeda’s late header at Celtic Park on Wednesday gives the Scottish champions the slimmest of hopes against Vincent Kompany’s high-flying Bundesliga league leaders.

READ THIS…Celtic v Dundee United: Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch

Celtic starting XI Celtic v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League, Knockout Round Play-offs, First Leg, Celtic Park, 12 February 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Meanwhile, Celtic face Dundee United this afternoon with a chance to go 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Rodgers may have one eye on next week’s second leg clash in Munich, therefore his team selection shall be interesting.

Brendan Rodgers is likely to rest as many of his starters from midweek as possible today so expect a similar line-up to the Raith Rovers Scottish Cup tie last weekend.

Conor Spence

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