Celtic have underperformed in Europe for multiple seasons. Since the 2019/20 campaign when Neil Lennon’s side topped their Europa League group with a game to spare, it’s been a messy collage of disappointments. In 2020/21 they finished bottom of their group, losing to a Covid-stricken Sparta Prague 8-2 over two games. In 2021/22, during a rebuild phase, they exited the Europa League in third place, before losing to Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate in the Conference League. In the previous two campaigns, they have finished rock bottom in both their groups. At Last Word on Football, we predict how well Celtic will fare in the revamped Champions League, League Phase.
Champions League: Celtic’s League Phase Matches
Context is Important
Despite an embarrassing collection of results, it’s been fine margins. In the last two seasons, the Glasgow side have been extremely competitive in most games but have lacked the quality to get over the line. In twelve games they have recorded one win, three draws and eight losses. Individually though, the games have been tight.
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Of the eight losses, only three saw them outclassed, away to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig. At home to Lazio, it was heartbreak as a late Luis Palma winner was ruled out only for Pedro to score deep into injury time. In the away leg, it was two goals inside the final ten minutes from Ciro Immobile that sealed the deal. Away to Feyenoord, the Scottish Champions suffered two red cards; meanwhile, at home to Leipzig, they hit the woodwork multiple times. Even at home to Real Madrid, the game was finely poised after an hour.
Furthermore, the squad suffered key injuries to Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers in that period. The hope is that the extra quality and depth will allow Celtic to turn performances into results, as that is what football is about.
Celtic’s Champions League Home Games
First up for Celtic is arguably the easiest game of all: a home tie against Slovan Bratislava. Despite Celtic’s poor record, they will head into this clash as favourites. Last year’s Slovakian Champions and current league leaders are debuting in this competition, although do have European history as they lifted the European Cup Winners Cup in 1969. In recent times though, they haven’t excelled. Last season they were knocked out at the Conference League play-off, and haven’t even played in the Europa League since 2019/20. The main man to be wary of is Armenian midfielder Tigran Barseghyan, who is their top league scorer with five goals.
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On matchday four Celtic welcome RB Leipzig to Glasgow. It’s a repeat of two seasons ago when Ange Postecoglou’s side were left to rue their missed chances in an unjust 2-0 loss. Leipzig have improved since then. They have just ended Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible domestic record with a 3-2 victory at the Bayer Arena. It’s a talented squad including the likes of Xavi Simons, Lois Openda and Kevin Kampl.
On matchday six, it’s Club Brugge who stand in the Scottish Champions’ way. The Belgian outfit have struggled, winning just three of their opening six league games. The home side will have to keep an eye on Gustaf Nilsson, but this is a very manageable tie.
Young Boys are the final team to land in Paradise. Their form is utterly hopeless, although things can change between now and November. In the Swiss league, they are winless in their opening six matches and find themselves rock bottom of the table. They did manage to knock out Galatasaray in the Champions League qualifiers though. Either way, this is another winnable tie.
Celtic’s Champions League Away Games
Celtic’s opening away game is the hardest tie of all: last year’s runners-up. Borussia Dortmund sit fourth in the Bundesliga after two games. Over the past few seasons, they have been going through a bit of a transition period losing key players such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. As well as this, Edin Terzic has been replaced by Nuri Sahin in the dugout. A new crop is coming through though, and Celtic must be on their A-game to walk away with anything.
As well as the Champions League Runners up, Celtic will face the Europa League winners on their travels. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta continue to excel, although have picked up just one win in their opening three league games. There may be an extra edge to the match after the Italians sought after Matt O’Riley on many occasions before Brighton won the bidding war.
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The easiest tie away from home of all is a trip to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb. The pair have a history having met in the 2014/15 Europa League. The away tie was a classic, with Ronny Deila’s side losing by four goals to three. At Celtic Park though, revenge was served in the form of a one-nil win thanks to a Kris Commons early strike. You would imagine this will be an evenly matched tie.
Celtic will round off their campaign with a trip to Aston Villa. It’ll be a mouth-watering tie as the battle of Britain element gives an edge. Unai Emery has worked wonders with this Villa side, securing a top-four finish over Tottenham Hotspur. The physicality of this outfit will be something Celtic must deal with. Although, a doggedly high defensive line may prove to give space to Celtic’s lightning quick front three.
How Will This Impact Celtic?
Brendan Rodgers has made it clear, the aim is to reach the play-offs. To do so, nine points should be enough, although they may need to get ten or eleven. With how competitive Celtic have been at home recently in Europe, you feel that they have an excellent chance. The away games could be tough, but a trip to Zagreb is winnable.
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The reality is that this next period is massive for Celtic. They have re-invested in the squad and it’s time for the new signings to show their worth. Should they break the duck, everyone will get a lift and the Hoops will be able to establish themselves as a competitive side in Europe and widen the gap in the domestic scene. This is the best chance they will get in a while: it’s over to you, Celtic.
