IAN BANKIER has stated Celtic will be able to take advantage of enhanced media rights when the Champions League format changes in 2024.

In Celtic’s Annual financial results, Bankier wrote:

“The biggest influence on the financial and sporting fortunes of the Club is our ability to participate in European competition. As covered by Michael Nicholson in his report, the Champions League format will change in 2024. This will provide further opportunities and enhanced media rights. Our task is to be prepared to maximise the opportunities that will evolve by remaining financially strong and stable, whilst investing intelligently in the player squad, the football department and the sporting infrastructure and facilities.”

Michael Nicholson claimed Celtic have been a part of the steps taken to introduce a new alternative to the financial FairPlay rules and revealed Celtic are trying to be at the forefront of changes in Europe.

Nicholson wrote on the companies statement to the Stock exchange: ‘UEFA introduced significant enhancements in financial governance by introducing new Financial Sustainability Regulations to replace the previous Financial Fair Play Regulations. These are being introduced on a phased basis from summer 2022 and have the effect of introducing more rigorous spending controls and more definitive sanctions in order to create a sustainable future for the European Club environment. Celtic played a significant role at a strategic and technical level in the development of the new regulations, continuing to demonstrate our strategy of participating and contributing to the future of the game at the highest level.’

We’ll see if the new rules will have the desired effect. At the moment, the game is geared towards the richer clubs getting richer while the rest feed off the scraps. Peter Lawwell is likely to have had a say in what’s gone on, being part of the board on the ECA.

Celtic are back in the Champions League group stage for the first time in five years. Ange Postecoglou has spoken about building a team and a mentality that sees them make more progress in Europe season on season so when he leaves the club is considered a Champions League side again.

The Hoops have played two games in the competition so far this season, they have shown in both games they can compete against other Champions League sides. They need to show consistency and an ability to be more ruthless when the opportunities arise.

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