Brendan Rodgers and his troops earned their golden ticket to the big time after finishing top of the Scottish Premiership. They claimed top spot in Scotland over rivals Rangers and after two back-to-back seasons at the top table, they will be looking to make it third time lucky as they bid to make a splash up against the elite of club football. The Hoops will of course bank a huge pay check for reaching the competition proper but with a new format and more games to enjoy, the fans will be desperate to be more competitive.
The final game of last season ended that long awaited run without a win at the top table and now the Scottish champions will be hoping it is just the start. The new competition comes with a new set up and rules on qualification and matches. Here Record Sport looks at some of the key dates on the UEFA calendar for Celtic fans to look out for.
Celtic are used to playing six group games in a league of four teams. The top two qualify for the knockout stages while third would drop into the Europa League with each of the three opponents in the section facing home and away. However, it is all change with the competition now one single 36-team league stage.
Each side faces eight different opponents with four games at home and four on the road. The top eight go directly into the round of 16 with clubs ninth to 24th fighting it out in the knockout round play-offs. Clubs 25th and lower exit the competition and will not drop into the Europa League.
The biggest change is to the group stage, which will become a single 36-team League stage. Each side faces eight different teams (four at home, four away). The top eight overall advance directly to the round of 16; sides finishing from ninth to 24th will contest the knockout round play-offs, with the victors going through to the last 16. From then on it is a straight knockout.
Champions League league stage draw and key dates
Since Celtic do NOT need to qualify they will not learn their Champions League fate until August 29. This is when UEFA will conduct the draw which will determine who plays who in the new 36-league team structure. The match dates kick-off in September and run into next year with the final round of fixtures taking place at the end of January.
Champions League knockout rounds
Celtic will be dreaming of a return to Champions League knockout football and if they achieved a finish between ninth and 24th in the league section they will reach the knockout play-offs. This will be played over two legs in February. The winners join the last 16 with the structure following a familiar path of home and away matches over two-legs to reach the next round all the way to the final.
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