Celtic finally return to competitive action later this afternoon as Kilmarnock come to Parkhead in the first weekend of the new Scottish Premiership season.
Fans are excited to see what the upcoming campaign has in store, with Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers looking to build on a respectable first year back in Glasgow last term.
The Bhoys did the double, but as has always been the case over the past decade, Europe was their pitfall.
A draw with Atletico Madrid and a victory over Feyenoord rightly filled supporters with some encouragement, but not as much as they have going into the new Champions League campaign.
Indeed, the format of Europe’s premier club competition is changing, and it looks as though it will benefit the Scottish champions.
Right-back Alistair Johnston believes the alterations to be a colossal chance for him and his teammates to kick on in the continental scene.
“This is a really big year for us in terms of taking that next step, not only domestically, but in Europe as well”, he said (RecordSport).
“It’s going to be an unbelievable opportunity with this new set up with the Champions League being a minimum of eight group stage matches, if you want to call it a group stage.
“It’s going to give us multiple opportunities to play at the biggest stage in club football and show that we belong.
“It will be exciting for us and for all the fans. It’s a bigger tournament, eight matches minimum and it gives you an extra opportunity to play under the lights at Celtic Park, which is one of the most special experiences you can have in all of sport.”
The Celts are guaranteed eight matches (four home and four away) in the Champions League this time around.
The draw for the new league phase takes place at the end of the month. Rodgers and Co. will have a keen eye on proceedings as they look to finally make a mark in Europe.
