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Celtic are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2013, with Brendan Rodgers’ side now awaiting their fate ahead of Friday’s play-off draw.
The 1967 European champions have benefitted from the new-look Champions League format and ensured their progression to the knockout rounds with a game to spare, despite a 7-1 hammering away to Borussia Dortmund early on.
The Glasgow side recovered, claiming valuable home wins over RB Leipzig and Young Boys while earning points on the road away to Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb before losing a thriller to Aston Villa on the final matchday on Wednesday night.
And with a comfortable lead over rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race and the League Cup already secured, Celtic can start dreaming of knockout football returning to Parkhead for the first time since losing out to Juventus in February 2013.
The clubs Celtic could draw in Champions League
After finishing the league phase as the 21st seed, Celtic will have to negotiate the play-off rounds.
And Celtic will be among the non-seeded sides for Friday’s draw, which will determine the exact position of the teams in the bracket. They will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the play-offs.
By finishing 21st, Celtic ensured they will face either the 11th-place team (Real Madrid) or the 12th-place team (Bayern Munich), with Manchester City, who finished 22nd, facing the other one. It guarantees an absolute blockbuster tie in the play-offs.
Full list of play-off matches
9th/10th to play 23rd/24th – Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund to play Sporting/Club Brugge
11th/12th to play 21st/22nd – Real Madrid/Bayern Munich to play Celtic/Manchester City
13th/14th to play 19th/20th – AC Milan/PSV to play Feyenoord/Juventus
15th/16th to play 17th/18th – PSG/Benfica to play Monaco/Brest
When will Celtic play their play-off?
The Champions League play-offs take place across 11/12 and 18/19 February. As the non-seeded team, Celtic will be away in the second leg.
