This time next week we’ll be talking about lineups and Celtic’s quest to get back to the Champions League group stage for a second straight season. Yes, real, live and meaningful football is just around the corner for the Invincibles.
But, there is more than pride at stake for Celtic. There is also a lot of money, as in club-changing kind of money at stake.
Let’s remember, Celtic took in a huge £26 million windfall just for making it and competing in the Champions League group stage. That total was likely closer to £30 million once everything was added up, but the point is, that’s a huge chunk of change for any club in Scottish football these days.
It is that kind of money that has allowed the club to keep players like Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair and Kieran Tierney happy. Increased wages and not having to offload successful players to the highest bidder right away has been refreshing.
But, what would a path to the Champions League group stage this year mean? Well, according to the Daily Record, it could mean another huge windfall and a further widening of the financial gap.
That’s because there is likely a slight increase coming to the prize money. According to the Daily Record here are how things will break down heading in to the Champions League group stage:
Playoff Rounds:
Second qualifying round – €320,000 (€300,000)
Third qualifying round (only paid to eliminated clubs) – €420,000 (€400,000)
Play-off stage – €2m for winners and €3m for clubs knocked out at this stage (€2m and €3m)
Should Celtic make it to the Play-Off stage and bow out they would be set to rake in nearly €4.7 million (or £4.1 million). That alone is a decent total and doesn’t include gate money or TV revenue either, which could easily push the total over the €5-6 million mark.
However, things get really crazy when looking at advancing to the group stage proper.
Group Stage:
Just for Making It – €12.7m bonus (€12m)
For each win – €1.5m (€1.5m)
For each draw – €500k (€500k)
TV Money Share (last year) – €14.3m
That’s a cool €27 million for Celtic just for making it, now add in the bonuses for wins and/or draws and the gate money and once again we’re talking about €30 million easily in to the coffers if not more.
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Making it this far would certainly be a huge boost to the Celtic coffers and could help produce a prolonged glory period for the club. It could also mean that top players may be attracted to playing European football and Celtic could actually afford one or two bigger additions instead of banking on young singings panning out all the time.
The thought of another €30 million has to be music to the board’s ears. It certainly will be to the bank account, and that has to be the goal. Anything beyond that is just gravy at this point in the back office.
On the pitch? Well, we all know Brendan Rodgers wants this club to advance out of the group stage.
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