CELTIC must focus in an attempt to get into the Champions League proper this time around after missing out last season.
Currently about to play their second qualifier against Kalju, if the bhoys do get past the Estonian champions then they will face either Cluj or Macabbi tel Aviv.
However, the worst case scenario for the bhoys was revealed today at UEFA headquarters with the club also in the pot for the Europa League parachute. Meaning, if Celtic were to lose against Kalju they would drop straight into the Europa League qualifiers and if that happens they would play.
KF SHKENDIJA (MKD) OR F91 DUDELANGE (LUX)
There will be nobody at Celtic Park even giving this tie a second thought at the moment. For the bhoys, the mission is simple; beat Kalju and go onto face either Cluj or Maccabi in the next round where they can book a playoff place.
Celtic made the Europa League group stage last season after parachuting into the competition via the Champions League qualifiers. The bhoys got to the last 32 of the competition and were eventually put out by Valencia.
Is this the worst case scenario? There appears to be worse draws than this. However, both of these teams are more than capable of beating Celtic and will fancy their chances. We haven’t signed the quality of players needed to qualify or play in this tournament. Simply because we have given up on the CL. Big bonus if we scrape through but no real money spent in trying to do so. That would be too risky for Big Pete and the boys. Keep most of the money in the bank.