Celtic FC Faces Tough but Winnable Champions League Playoff Tie
Celtic FC is set to face a challenging but not insurmountable task in the upcoming Champions League playoff tie, having been drawn as an unseeded team. According to Football Rankings, the Glasgow side will be pitted against top-tier opponents, including Dinamo Zagreb, Bodo/Glint, FC Copenhagen, Red Star, and Ferencvaros.
While these teams may send a chill down the spine of Celtic supporters, manager Brendan Rodgers remains optimistic about the team’s chances. “Every single tie is winnable despite what the history books might tell us,” the article quotes, highlighting Celtic’s decent performance in this year’s group stage.
The key to success lies in the team’s ability to strengthen its squad during the summer transfer window. The article emphasizes the need for the Board to learn from previous summers, where Celtic has had Champions League qualifiers to negotiate. “All that waiting to see if we qualify before signing players nonsense is not on,” the piece asserts, adding that Brendan Rodgers won’t stand for it, and neither will the support.
Celtic’s history in European competitions is replete with memorable moments, including their triumph in the 1967 European Cup, where they defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the final. The team’s subsequent performances have been a mixed bag, with notable successes and setbacks.
Possible Opponents:
- Dinamo Zagreb: A Croatian side known for their European exploits
- Bodo/Glint: A Norwegian team that has made a mark in European competitions
- FC Copenhagen: A Danish side with a strong European pedigree
- Red Star Belgrade: A Serbian team with a rich history in European football
- Ferencvaros: A Hungarian side that has consistently performed well in European competitions
Celtic’s Recent Performance:
In the 2024/25 season, Celtic has shown promise in the Champions League, with players like Nicolas Kuehn scoring crucial goals. The team’s performance in the league knockout play-off against Bayern Munich demonstrated their ability to compete against top-tier opponents ¹.
Transfer News:
Celtic is reportedly interested in signing Red Star Belgrade defender Veljko Milosavljevic, and the club has been told to pay £11m to land its primary summer target. These developments will be crucial in determining the team’s success in the upcoming Champions League playoff tie ².