Celtic’s Champions League Qualifiers explained

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The Celtic Star

·25 April 2025

Celtic’s Champions League Qualifiers explained

It’s a route that Celtic thankfully haven’t needed to take in recent years. However, the tense UEFA Champions League qualifiers return for the Hoops this summer as they aim to compete with Europe’s elite…

Nicolas Kuehn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Celtic performed well in the Champions League this season

Brendan Rodgers’ side delivered an excellent performance in the revamped competition this season, securing a place in the top 24 and earning a knockout play-off spot against German giants Bayern Munich.

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They received worldwide praise for their display over the two-legged tie, especially at the Allianz Arena, where a late goal prevented the Scottish champions from securing a historic away victory, which would have ultimately sent the clash into extra time and perhaps penalties.

Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

An agonising exit in Munich for unlucky Celtic

However, Alphonso Davies’ stoppage time equaliser sealed the Bundesliga table toppers progression to the last 16, bringing Celtic’s campaign to a heartbreaking end. To experience such unforgettable nights again, the Hoops must successfully navigate the play-off round in August.

The Champions Path awaits Celtic

At the play-off stage of the competition, they will participate in the Champions Path, which includes five seeded teams and five unseeded clubs. Celtic are set to be seeded, providing a significant advantage.

UEFA Champions League branded microphones are seen on a desk prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Keeping an eye on Bodo/Glimt

Though, that could change, and Celtic will be hoping for some favourable outcomes. To begin with, Bodo/Glimt have been the surprise team of this season’s Europa League, and with the Norwegian champions seeded for this summer’s qualifiers, Rodgers and his squad will be backing the Norwegians all the way and win UEFA’s second-tier club competition even if it means dealing a significant blow to Ange Postecoglou by defeating Tottenham in next Thursday’s semi-final.

Claiming the Europa League guarantees an automatic spot in the Champions League, elevating Kjetil Knutsen’s men from the final qualifying stage directly into the group stage, while also opening up a seeded place – a welcome advantage for Celtic.

Merchandise for sale outside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Red Star Belgrade have cruised to the Serbian league title, while Olympiacos may stand to gain from the reshuffling of Champions League spots. This is due to the fact that, as the Greek Super League champions, Olympiacos would claim the league phase winners’ spot, given they have the highest coefficient among clubs currently leading their domestic leagues from associations 11-55.

Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona, and Inter Milan are the semi-finalists this season, with all four either already secured or strongly positioned to qualify through their league positions.

So, what does Celtic want to avoid?

So, what does Celtic want to avoid? They certainly don’t want two of the following teams to win their domestic leagues: FC Copenhagen, Shakhtar Donetsk, Ferencvaros, RB Salzburg, and Dinamo Zagreb – if Bodo fails to win the Europa League.

Currently, Ferencvaros holds a three-point lead at the top of the Hungarian league, while in Denmark, Copenhagen are in first place, just one point ahead of FC Midtjylland. Shakhtar Donetsk sits third in Ukraine, 10 points adrift, while Salzburg are four points behind Sturm Graz in the Austrian top-flight.

Dinamo Zagreb missed a huge opportunity to close the gap in Croatia, now trailing the top two, Rijeka and Hadjuk Split, by four points. They have a top of the table clash against Rijeka next, followed by a must-win trip to Hadjuk in what could be a defining stretch of games.

One certainty for Celtic fans is the scheduled date for the Champions League play-off round

One certainty for Celtic fans is the scheduled date for the Champions League play-off round. UEFA has announced that the draw will occur on Monday 4 August, with the two-legged tie scheduled for 19/20 and 26/27 August 2025.

If the Hoops progress to the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, the draw for the league phase will be held on Thursday 28 August. Celtic have the safety net of Europa League group-stage football if they fail to get past whoever their opponents will be in late August.

Hopefully Celtic learn the lessons from previous summer qualifiers by having the transfer business done before and not after these crucial ties.

Conor Spence

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