It’s been over a decade since Celtic last competed in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.
The last time they secured springtime fixtures at Europe’s top table was in 2012/13, only for Serie A giants Juventus to halt their continental adventure in the Round of 16.
Despite being on the verge of a fourth consecutive title in the Scottish Championship, many fans expected the newly formatted league phase to be the scourge of Celtic’s lofty European ambitions.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ men are firmly in the running for a coveted play-off berth with only two games left.
While supporters using VPNs to safely watch live action via online streams could’ve seen the Hoops slump to a dismal 0-0 draw at Dinamo Zagreb, a top-24 finish remains a distinct possibility.
Rodgers’ charges head into the penultimate league-phase matchday in the 21st, boasting a narrow two-point lead on 25th Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting the importance of beating Young Boys on Wednesday.
Victory imperative
Nailed to the bottom of the 36-team table, Young Boys are one of only three pointless teams after the opening six rounds, while their goal difference speaks volumes.
Giorgio Contini’s side netted a competition second joint-low three goals and conceded a whopping 22, more than any other team after Gameweek 6.
With one of the worst-performing sides in this season’s Champions League rolling into Glasgow, Celtic fans will settle for nothing less than a crucial victory.
Celtic Park has been a fortress.
Bringing Champions League qualifying into the equation, Rodgers’ high-flyers haven’t lost any of their 19 home outings this season, racking up a jaw-dropping 17 wins.
Battle of the Kingdom
Three points against the Swiss outfit should set the Hoops in pole position to secure a place in the play-offs and alleviate some pressure ahead of a daunting trip to Villa Park.
After a long-term absence from Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Aston Villa have returned with a bang and are on the verge of locking down automatic knockout qualification.
Much credit for Villa’s phenomenal first Champions League campaign in the 21st century goes to their formidable form at Birmingham, where they’ve accumulated seven of their 13 points.
Juventus held Unai Emery’s side to a scoreless draw last time out, yet victories ‘to nil’ against Bologna and Bayern Munich underscore the task awaiting the Hoops later this month.
But if Celtic can take a point south of the border, it could seal the deal.
Key player
Nicolas-Gitter Kuhn is the front-runner for the ‘Player of the Season’ award in the Scottish Premiership.
With nine goals and six assists, the 25-year-old winger is one of the division’s standout performers.
He has also tallied two goals and one assist across six European appearances this season.
Kuhn’s rise to stardom in Glasgow hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Newcastle United adding him to their list of targets via the Chronicle Live.
However, the German should stay in Parkhead until the end of the campaign and potentially help the Hoops finally reach the Champions League knockouts.
What must be done?
Rodgers explained how ‘outstanding’ captain Callum McGregor shone in a 2-1 win against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.
However, there’s a feeling the reigning Scottish champions overly rely on their 31-year-old stalwart in the engine room.
Arne Engels, one of the club’s record signings, must step up after a lengthy period of adaptation and provide a spark in the midfield.
Rodgers can take heart from Reo Hatate’s consistency and Luke McCowan’s recent surge to prominence, but Engles’ return to form could be the key to unlocking Celtic’s full midfield potential.
Kyogo Furuhashi has been a relentless force in Celtic’s attack, though Celtic could use additional firepower to bolster their continental prospects.
Despite seeing their opening bid for Villa’s Louie Barry rejected, the Hoops would be well-advised to sign the prodigious forward, who enjoyed a sparkling loan spell at Stockport County in the first half of the season.
Barry’s addition could inject much-needed dynamism and clinical finishing into Celtic’s frontline, offering Rodgers a versatile option in attack and elevating the team’s overall offensive output.
