Each day, the draw for the group stages of the Champions League edges ever closer. Last season, the Hoops got a group few fans were unhappy with and it is certain supporters would accept a similar one this time around.
There is still a fortnight to go until the long awaited draw. In 2022/23, the Bhoys were in pot four and that is likely going to be the same this time around but it is still within the realms of possibility that the Scottish champions make it to pot three.
It may be unlikely, but if in the play-offs, five teams who are ranked higher in the coefficient table than their opponents lose, then the Bhoys will make it to pot three. The specific results Brendan Rodgers’ men need are Copenhagen to lose to Rakow Czestochowa, Young Boys to lose to Maccabi Haifa, Braga to lose to Panathinaikos, Dinamo Zagreb/AEK Athens to lose to Royal Antwerp and Galatasaray to lose to Molde.
Clearly, it would take a hugely improbable series of events for the treble winning champions to make it into a higher pot in the Champions League group stage draw this season. They may do so, though; should they, they could get a more favourable draw.
This would only be positive but firstly, Brendan Rodgers’ men need several results to go their way, starting next Tuesday evening.
So much for Celtic being reduced to a ‘ Should other teams lose ‘ team?
Be nice and bite your fingers to the quick like everyone else.
That’s half the joy at pot mixture time