CL millions floating across Glasgow

Tonight, we see the conclusion of the first of two ties that don’t involve Celtic but have a significant bearing on our income and domestic competitive stance.  Union Saint-Gilloise take a 2-0 lead to Ibrox, a result that in earlier times brought an 80% success rate.  Without the away goals rule, the advantage is reduced, Union also lost heavily at the weekend.  Newco will be rightfully confident of progress.

Qualification for the Champions League play-off round is worth over £5m in prize and gate money.  Celtic stand to earn an extra £3m if Newco are eliminated at this round or the next; that money would otherwise float across Glasgow to become part of Newco’s European bounty.  More importantly, our casino-football addicted rivals would be denied expensive chips to place before the transfer window closes.  No apologies for watching CL qualification closely this year.

Just a year ago, Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League the second qualification round by Midtjylland.  The transformation between then and now could scarcely be imagined.  A year ago, it was significantly more unlikely for Newco to reach the Europa League final.  We cannot underestimate them, or the significance a Champions League windfall would have.