Celtic’s Champions League chances receive major boost

As Celtic approach the start of the new season and a series of Champions League qualifying games, today brought some very good news for Neil Lennon’s men.

With three qualifying rounds and then a play off tie to win it’s still going to be very tough for Celtic to get through to the group stages.  But then the rewards do reflect that effort. Group stage football is always important financially and that may be significantly so this season even with the constraints on crowds and behind closed doors football affecting match day income.

The qualifying rounds this year are all single leg, one tie, home or away decided by the draw – rather than the usual two legged approach. That could make it more difficult, especially if drawn away. The play off round is over 2 legs as usual.

Being seeded for all those games could be an enormous benefit in terms of the draw. Which is where the enormous good news comes in for Celtic.

@Moravcik67_ is a self confessed stattogeek is an excellent provider of coefficient and qualifying information. He broke the good news today:

Coefficient points calculated for each club over a 5 year average determine seeding.  Only FC Basel, of the remaining teams who could possibly secure a champions league place, would have more coefficient points than the hoops. And today saw their last chance gone when they drew 4-4 in their league match. Meaning Celtic have secured seeding for all their qualifying matches.

Every little helps for sure.

Champions League 20/21 calendar in full

Preliminary round: August 8 and 11

Qualifying round one draw: August 9

Qualifying round two draw: August 10

First qualifying round: August 18 and 19

Second qualifying round: August 25 and 26

Third qualifying round draw – August 31

Playoff draw – September 1

Third qualifying round: September 15 and 16

Playoffs: September 22 and 23 and 29 and 30

Group stage draw: October 1

Group stage: October 20 and 21 and 27 and 28

November 3 and 4 and 24 and 25

December 1 and 2 and 8 and 9