Celtic’s Champions League Play-Off Picture Becomes Clearer

Celtic’s route into next season’s Champions League is beginning to take shape and the latest projections have provided Martin O’Neill with some encouragement.

The Scottish champions will once again enter the competition through the Champions Route and, just like last season, are only one tie away from reaching the league phase.

That is the good news. The bad news is that Celtic supporters know all too well that there are no guarantees.

Last summer, many expected Celtic to negotiate their play-off comfortably, only for Kairat Almaty to provide a far sterner challenge than anticipated and ultimately knock the Hoops out on penalties.

O’Neill will therefore be taking nothing for granted.

Still, the latest projections suggest Celtic could avoid some of the most difficult potential opponents.

Among the clubs expected to be seeded alongside Celtic are Olympique Lyonnais and Bodø/Glimt, meaning they would not be potential opponents in the play-off round.

There is further positive news regarding AEK Athens.

A trip to Athens had looked like one of the more challenging possibilities, but current projections indicate that matchup is unlikely to materialise.

That leaves a group of potential opponents who, on paper at least, appear more favourable.

The clubs currently in the frame include:

• NK Celje
• Omonia Nicosia
• LASK
• AGF Aarhus
• Viking FK

🚨 Projected 2026/27 Champions League Play-offs after QR1 and QR2 draws.

✅ LEFT – Projected to be Seeded
❌ RIGHT – Projected to be Unseeded

➡️ Complete qualifying projections with all the % chances and seedings at our Page (link in bio)! pic.twitter.com/DRS5kQvmHQ

— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) June 21, 2026

That is not to say any of those ties would be straightforward.

Celtic’s recent European history has repeatedly shown the dangers of underestimating opponents, particularly away from home.

The bigger priority for O’Neill at the moment will be ensuring his squad is ready when the play-off arrives.

With pre-season starting this week and transfer business still to accelerate, Celtic have important work to complete before they can fully focus on Europe.

The draw may be looking kinder.

Now the challenge is making sure the team is stronger than the one that fell short against Kairat a year ago.

Because regardless of the opponent, Celtic know there will be no easy route into the Champions League.