Celtic have received a boost as they attempt to return to the Champions League group stage.
The Parkhead giants missed out on a place in UEFA ’s premier club event when Brendan Rodgers’ side lost to AEK Athens in the playoffs last summer.
But Celtic have been given another chance to reach the group stage – should they be confirmed as Premiership champions – with a seeding boost.
Although they will again have to play four qualifying rounds, they will be seeded in each of the qualifiers.
Champions League seeding specialist @Moravcik67_ has noted on Twitter that PAOK won the Greek title at the weekend, leaving just a handful of teams that could be ranked higher than Celtic.
Only Salzburg – who the Hoops faced in this season’s Europa League group stage – plus Dutch sides PSV/Ajax and Czech outfits Plzen/Sparta Prague will be seeded higher.
The development means the club will avoid Europe’s biggest teams but a host of decent sides would still lie in wait.
Celtic will play their first Champions League qualifier on July 9/10 should they seal eight in a row over the next four fixtures.
Celtic could be guaranteed Champions League football EVERY year under new UEFA proposals
Neil Lennon’s side missed out on the chance to be confirmed as champions last weekend as Rangers beat Hearts on Saturday.
Record Sport Online revealed last week Celtic could be guaranteed a Champions League group stage place every year under new proposals that would grant wild card entries for clubs with 'great historical importance to football’.
