The dirty wee secret for countries to move their way up the Uefa coefficient table is to concentrate resources to the Conference League. Winning points in the Champions League is difficult (Celtic’s impressive tally from last season was an outlier). The Europa League is a far easier environment, but that competition still has very strong clubs; as Ange Postecoglou found out in his first season at Celtic.
The Conference League is by some way the easiest competition to work in. Even Hearts won three games last season, and they were rubbish. All three Uefa competitions offer two coefficient points for a win. Scottish football would be rescued from its slide down the coefficient table with more of our clubs entering the Conference League.
That option is not available to Celtic next season, who will play either Champions or Europa League football, while Aberdeen, Newco, Hibernian and Dundee United can all reach the Conference League.
Yesterday’s draw set Hibs against Midtjylland in the Europa League second qualifying round. They will almost certainly drop to the Conference League third qualifying round, with the playoff round one further step away. Dundee United should overcome a side from Luxemburg (do we remember a Scottish side losing to a Luxemburg team?) in their Conference League qualifier.
Newco have three rounds ahead, with the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues on the table, as well as elimination from Europe in the qualifiers. Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup (no memory of this), which ensures them Europa or Conference League football, the latter is far more likely.
It is a big ask for Hibs and United to reach the Conference League. Aberdeen should lose a qualifier and get there, while a Panathinaikos win would make it likely Newco would join Aberdeen.
114 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
A sacked Paramedic says…..”Why is it only people that took the shot making posts like this?
Think”
https://x.com/harryfisherEMTP/status/1935805075680903405#m
Celtic v Motherwell Sun 3rd 16:30
Dundee v Celtic Sun 10th Aug 14:15
Celtic v Falkirk Sat 23rd Aug 15:00
Rangers v Celtic Sun 31st Aug 12:00
Guyfawkes,
I have one login and it’s Swiss Tony. I met Starry in the flesh at the Sion debacle. Hadn’t even reached my seat before Majstorovic got his carton rouge. Starry was sat behind me.
Swiss
https://youtu.be/ejEwIK-omq8?si=geW1HW8-QZERYl68
Key Celtic 2025/26 Champions League dates
The draw for Celtic’s Champions League play-off is on Monday, August 4.
The first leg of the play-off itself will then take place on Tuesday, August 19 or Wednesday, August 20. The return tie will be played the following week, on Tuesday, August 26 or Wednesday, August 27.
Seeding takes no relevance in determining whether Celtic will be at home or away in the first or second leg. The draw will determine that.
Should Celtic then win their play-off, they will enter the league phase draw, which is on Thursday, August 28.
The league phase takes the same format as last year. Rodgers’ side, should they qualify, will play eight different teams, four at home and four away, in games spanning from September through to January.
Warming up nicely out there today , off to London tomorrow looks like it’s gonna be 33°/34° bit too warm for my liking may need to emulate BRRB
It will be interesting to see if we cancel the Falkirk game to prioritise European qualification ?
Was gonna say its great to see Kev back posting under his original moniker but really it isn’t.
Off to Dublin for the rugby. 🏉. British and Irish Lions with no anthems.
Or will they play the host country anthem
?
B78 , yes an interesting one, I would probably say no as its still very early in the season and players will be looking to play to get up to speed, on the other hand the potential threat of picking up an injury.Wonder if we can bring it forward to even the Friday night?
Morning all.
Sorry to start the day with a wee rant.
That Goodlad on Radio Scotland really gets my goat at times. About 7.30 earlier he was interviewing a Hamilton Accies supporter who said that only Celtic and Rangers (in that order) weren’t in financial trouble. At about 8, Goodlad mentions this but puts the deid team first , as he always does. He simply can’t hide his bias. He never ever puts us first unless it is something negative.
https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.67hailhail.com%2Fstatic%2Fuploads%2F18%2F2021%2F06%2FGettyImages-668042814-scaled.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8d8a15f8e82186cc8ac618f12fa309b00e4b014d2dae309dddf3e963a253d2a8
Weebobbycollins on 19th June 2025 7:50 pm
https://x.com/ecomarxi/status/1935492203633414429
———————————–
A great watch, thanks for posting. Note that TB rarely looks at his notes unlike most, if not all, politicians these days. He came from an era where folk believed in what they said and could articulate this without some wee lackey writing their speeches for them.
SCULLYBHOY,
Was at the game v Spurs at Hampden. Had the worst toothache I ever experienced.
Oh, by the bye, Goodlad has just this minute repeated what he sad earlier. Ragtag.
Parkheadcumsalford
A really horrible wee fellow thst Goodlad guy.
Bitter sad fellow. I have never heard him say anything positive about us.
Also a dreadful delivery for a radio presenter.
Heading out to Clonard monastery ..Clonard solemn novena,sacrament of the sick,will offer up prayers for all at CQN that are in need of spiritual help
” Kilmarnock against newly promoted Livingston is the only 15:00 BST kick-off on Saturday 2 August ”
That John Logie Baird has a lot to answer for.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/scores-fixtures/2025-08
🍀
B78 – enjoy the rugby.
Looking forward to watching it on TV this evening.
Hope I’m wrong, but I see this test series being pretty one-sided.
Good morning CQN
Grand morning.
A great day to take a prospect to Lennoxtown
Barry White wasn’t white.
Eric Black isn’t black.
Phil Goodlad?
Speaking in purely general terms of course ..
… I’ve discovered that avoiding imbecilic, hurting, bigoted buffoons who wouldn’t last five minutes in a meritocratic working environment …
… to be beneficial to my mental health
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Bhoyjoebelfast on 20th June 2025 9:19 am
“Heading out to Clonard monastery ..Clonard solemn novena,sacrament of the sick,will offer up prayers for all at CQN that are in need of spiritual help”
Thank you…por cierto
Swiss Tony on 20th June 2025 1:23AM
Good to hear that, thanks. Hope he’s enjoying the restful retirement in Japan he intended.
POR CIERTO
Clonard solemn novena started Wednesday 18th -26th June. Mass times 11:30 4:00 6:00 and 8:00.Sat and Sun 6:45 9:30 11:30 1:30 4:00 6:00 and 8:00.If interested all masses on web cam.
The super computer always has a special place in my heart. I’m always intrigued by who plays who after tough European games therefore a quick check is usually enlightening.
Last year celtic played 5 away 3 home after European week, rangers 3 away 5 home so we would naturally assume it would be the opposite this time around.
Not so first round of games there are no league fixtures probably internationals ? so I checked the game before , anyway..celtic still have 5 away and rangers 3 !!!….celtic 5 away ?…Livi, Hearts, Hibs. Falkirk, and Hearts again!!….Huns 3 away …Falkirk, Dundee. Hibs ….seems fair …has a handicap system started 🤔
So St Mirren first up then?
Perfect test for the new 8 second rule.
Brilliant shout by an earlier poster.
The INSTANT Hemmings picks up the ball the crowd should roar in unison ….
8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 …….
A wee secret…I worked for the beeb for almost 25 years. I knew everybody in the sports department. The Badlad who is being criticised this morning….well, he was never my favourite. 😊
WBC- Are you a hun?😀
Bhoyjoebelfast on 20th June 2025 9:19 am
Heading out to Clonard monastery ..Clonard solemn novena,sacrament of the sick,will offer up prayers for all at CQN that are in need of spiritual help
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thank you, JOE.
I keep saying this, but when can my wife and I get a wee tour of the Clonard?
PS
Bada Bing…that would be too demoralizing and painful. I just wanna be happy.
https://www.glentoran.com/sites/default/files/john%20colrain%20penalty%20%282%29.jpg
JOE, a wee teaser for you (well two in one) what is the Celtic connection to this goal, and what quiz question is based on the outcome of the tie?
Somewhat predictably the sfa shoopercompootah (copyright mcmoist) has us playing the huns away from home after a midweek champions league qualifier
Sunday 3rd August
Celtic versus St. Mirren kick off 6:30
Sunday 10th August
Aberdeen versus Celtic kick off 12:30
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OFF 19/20TH aUGUST
Saturday 23rd August
Celtic versus Livingston kick off 15:00
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OFF 26/27TH AUGUST
Sunday 31st August
Rangers versus Celtic kick off 12:00
There is a weeks break between the aberdeen game and the 1st qualifier, then 4 games in 11 days finishing off at the hundome
We are not paranoid enough
Be interested to see if Celtic use their option to take out the livi game……
I know I could find out by a bit of research but I don’t have time. Why are there no games scheduled for the weekend of the 16th August?
GOODLAD:
Have to say, I hadn’t heard of him until he was mentioned here today….
A quick google brought me to a dark place:
FOLLOW FOLLOW….
‘Anybody know much about this guy as I know nothing of him.Trying to be fair to him, but every time he speaks of Celtc(which is very often)he seems to just stop short of speaking like a fan while when mentioning Rangers(not so often)he can’t get the words out quick enough’.
And….
‘I went to school with him. Was a terrible footballer and generally shit at sport. Like a lot of Shetlanders he supports Aberdeen. To the best of my knowledge he doesn’t have any Celtic leanings’.
So, yeah. He’s a hun….. :)
Weeron
I have family visiting and was hoping to drag them to a game.
timmy7_noted on 20th June 2025 11:50 am
I know I could find out by a bit of research but I don’t have time. Why are there no games scheduled for the weekend of the 16th August?
==========================================
CHATGBT
Why No SPFL Premiership Matches on 16–17 August
⚽ Lower-Tier Cup Commitments
Scottish Premiership clubs, including Rangers and Celtic, receive “byes” into the second round of the League Cup.
That second-round stage is scheduled exactly during the weekend of 16–17 August
skysports.com
🛡️ No Fixtures Clash
To avoid fixture congestion, the SPFL gives Premiership teams that weekend off domestic league duties.
This ensures they can participate in key League Cup matches without undue overlap
reddit.com
.
🔁 Timeline Overview
Weekend Event
1–3 August Premiership opening weekend (round 1)
8–10 August Premiership round 2
16–17 August League Cup – second round (no league matches)
23–24 August Premiership round 3 (some matches may shift if in European play-offs)
✅ Summary
No league games on 16–17 August because Premiership clubs are playing in the League Cup second round.
This is intentional scheduling by the SPFL to streamline competitions and avoid fixture congestion
new article posted.