Pundit makes sensational claim about Celtic’s Champions League group
On paper, Celtic have been placed in a very difficult group in the Champions League. They will come up against 14-time champions and current holders, Real Madrid. There is not much to say about Los Blancos’ European pedigree. RB Leipzig are the second or third-best team in Germany right now based on their squad, even though the Rangers might have knocked them out of the Europa League last year. And Shakhtar Donetsk have enjoyed their fair share of success in Europe too.
The interesting thing about this group though is that, Celtic have a chance of finishing fourth as well as going through.
Of course, considering Celtic’s recent record in Europe, it will be very difficult, but then, football is not played on paper or in the past. Ange Postecoglou has ended a long wait to return to the Champions League. Now, can he take the Hoops one step further?
Tottenham Hotspur legend, Glenn Hoddle, appears to believe that Celtic could potentially win all three of their home games in the Champions League. As reported by HITC, he told BT Sport:
"“They will. They’ll be genuinely be saying we can pip that. They won’t be looking at winning the group, but even Madrid they can beat. They can win the three home games. They’ve turned other big clubs over up there and when that atmosphere is going there’s nothing like it. They’ll feel confident.”"
Can Celtic get past Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League group?
It would be very ambitious to think that Celtic can top the group, but if things go their way, they could possibly end up finishing second. Even third spot will get them a shot at the UEFA Europa League.
Real Madrid are a top team without a doubt, but Celtic are no strangers to upsetting top teams in the Champions League at Parkhead. 10 years back, their eternal rivals, Barcelona, got first-hand experience of that in a game that is still talked about.
RB Leipzig are a very talented side without doubt, but they have not made a good start this season and we did see them get beat by the Rangers last season.
And unfortunately for Shakhtar, they are not in a good spot right now due to the situation in Ukraine. Thus, it remains to be seen how they will perform.