Celtic enter the new campaign with momentum on their side. After securing a domestic double under Martin O’Neill last term, a Premiership title clinched on the final day after Hearts had led the way for 250 days, and a Scottish Cup final victory, the Hoops go into the new season with their tails up and, more importantly, with the chance of making the Champions League proper.
That matters a great deal. As Scottish Premiership winners, Celtic automatically bypass the earlier Champions League qualifiers and enter at the playoff stage, with just one two-legged tie separating them from the league phase. They’ll discover who they will face on Monday, August 3, with the first leg set to be played around two weeks later on the 18th or 19th. The return leg will be on the 25th or 26th of the same month. Make it through the playoff tie, and Celtic will be back in Europe’s top club competition.
What Reaching The League Phase Means
Reaching the league phase carries weight that goes far beyond prestige. The financial rewards are significant, and will help to fund much-needed new signings and finance the strengthening of the infrastructure at the club. Players are also much more likely to sign for a team playing Champions League football than for a side that’s not in Europe. With the league phase guaranteeing a minimum of eight matches against elite European opposition, alongside the revenue generated, it will help raise the profile of the club.
For O’Neill, who recently penned a deal to stay at the club as manager for at least one further season, getting through the playoff tie and into the league phase would be another huge achievement as part of his second chapter at the helm, and a sign that the intention is to compete on multiple fronts this term.
O’Neill’s Remarkable Story
The 74-year-old returned to Celtic in extraordinary circumstances. He made his initial return following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, then again after Wilfried Nancy was fired after 33 days in charge. What followed was a successful title challenge, overturning Hearts’ six-point advantage, and a Scottish Cup triumph. Guiding Celtic to a domestic double from the position they were in was quite something.
Now, with a full pre-season to work with his players and to make changes to the squad, the expectation will be that Celtic compete on all fronts, including qualifying for the Champions League. The latest football betting odds already have the Hoops installed as favourites to clean up domestically.
As manager of Celtic, O’Neill has guided the club to four Scottish Premiership titles across his two spells, as well as Scottish Cups and the Scottish League Cup. What’s to come won’t faze him, even in his mid-seventies. And if all goes to plan in 2026/27, there’s an option to extend O’Neill’s contract by a further year if all sides are in agreement.
Conclusion
Since returning to Celtic Park this season, Martin O’Neill has ticked a lot of boxes, with the help of his staff and the players at his disposal. Overturning Hearts’ lead and snatching the title on the final day and winning the Scottish Cup were big positives. However, that’s all been and gone. The attention is now on qualifying for the Champions League via a playoff tie and reaping the rewards of what comes with it.
