CELTIC will be up against it come July next year when they have to go through FOUR qualifying rounds to reach the Champions League group stages.

The club already have to go through three, but new rules introduced by UEFA will see Celtic have to start their Euro campaign even earlier – Two days after the World Cup has finished!

That might be music to some Celtic fans ears as they get to watch Celtic in action much earlier than anticipated. However, with such a short close season, players away to the World Cup and the amount on the line in these games, it’s going to be very tricky for the team.

UEFA is trying to close shop as it were, making sure the elite clubs get to the Champions League where the sides in smaller leagues in Europe will have to fend off the scraps.

Speaking about UEFA changed Brendan Rodgers admitted it presented a new challenge.

“That’s the challenge, year on year it gets more difficult and next season there is an extra qualification round.

“These are the obstacles we have to get over and the challenges that face us.

“In Europe the game is based around finance and we are in a league that doesn’t give us a lot of finance.

“So just like on the field of play we have to find a way.”