Celtic duo leaving could cause Champions League problem

Celtic have made a good start to their domestic campaign, with the victories over Aberdeen and Ross County putting the defending champions right at the top of the Premiership table after two matchdays. Rangers sit at second and have won both their games as well. The title race is expected to go down to the wire this time around.

As a result of winning the Premiership title last season, Celtic will play in the Champions League football group stage this time around. It goes without saying that the fans are eagerly awaiting the return of elite European football to Parkhead.

Amid all this, some could end up departing Celtic this summer and two players who have been linked with moves away are Mikey Johnston and James McCarthy, both of whom are on the fringes of the squad right now. Them leaving could pose a problem in the Champions League though.

As Football Scotland points out, Celtic will have to name a 25 man squad for the Champions League group stage and the UEFA rules say that they need four club trained players and four association trained players. Other than Johnston, the other club trained players at Parkhead right now are Callum McGregor, Anthony Ralston, James Forrest and Stephen Welsh. On the other hand, David Turnbull, Greg Taylor and Scott Bain count as association trained players along with McCarthy.

Celtic duo leaving could pose a problem in the Champions League

As a result, if one between McCarthy and Johnston ends up leaving, that would not be a problem for Celtic.

But if both end up departing Parkhead this summer, that might lead to the Hoops having to leave an empty space in their squad.

While McCarthy, 31, has been linked with a summer transfer back to England, Standard Liege of Belgium have been linked with a loan move for Johnston, alongside several other clubs across Europe.