Celtic’s Champions League campaign will kick off later this month, before that the official photoshoot ahead of the competition has taken place.
The photos feature players posing in front of a green Champions League backdrop. The Bhoys are decked out in the official Champions League tops, complete with the match and Foundation logo on the arm.
One photo that’s caught the attention of fans is of Reo Hatate, who is seen pointing to his name and number on the back of his Celtic shirt. However, it’s not just the gesture that’s notable—it’s the design of the back of Celtic’s champions league issue shirts.
This year, domestically, the Celtic kit features an unusual setup where the players’ names are printed in black text directly on top of the green hoops, without the bold white outline that fans have become accustomed to. This design choice has been met with mixed reactions, as it can make the names harder to read, especially from a distance.
In European football in the past, Celtic have sometimes needed to use a white patch covering most of the back of the shirt to ensure the names and numbers are clearly visible to match officials to not fall foul of UEFA guidelines.
Hatate’s image has now confirmed that for the Champions League, the team will be issued special jerseys that forgo the iconic hoops on the back in favour of a solid white background. This alteration ensures that the names and numbers are crystal clear, meeting the stringent UEFA regulations regarding kit visibility. The new font and colour scheme for the Champions League nights will definitely stand out.
As Celtic gear up to face tough opposition in the competition, including Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and last season’s Europa League champions Atalanta, the hope is that their performances can reach a new level.
