The Hoops know a win against Utrecht on Thursday will secure a place in the play-off round

15:28, 27 Jan 2026Updated 19:37, 27 Jan 2026

Celtic head into Friday's Europa League draw

Celtic in the Europa League(Image: AFP)

Celtic can guarantee a place in the Europa League play-off round with victory over crisis club Utrecht at Parkhead on Thursday.

A win and progressing beyond the league phase would be a big turnaround after a stuttering start in the competition.

Martin O’Neill, as he has domestically, helped breathe live into their campaign with a huge win in Feyenoord and battling point in Bologna.

A section of the Celtic support reckon an exit from UEFA’s second tier tournament would be a blessing in disguise and help their quest for a fifth consecutive Premiership crown.

But supporters who witnessed O’Neill’s first spell in charge will know the magical memories that can be created from following the team in Europe, with the Irishman taking the Hoops all the way to the UEFA Cup final against Porto in Seville.

Celtic’s defeat in Seville made Millar realise the pain of defeat could make him “feel sick”

And O’Neill could even be handed a revenge mission against the Portuguese giants, who host Celtic’s already-eliminated city rivals Rangers face when the final 18 matches are all played at the same time on Thursday.

Thanks to the new Europa League format, we already have an idea of who could be paired together in the play-off.

The teams that finish 9th to 24th will be paired against one another over two legs in order to join the top eight in the round of 16.

Though the table is obviously subject to change on the final night of league phase games, if the draw was conducted today then Celtic, sat in 24th and occupying the final play-off spot, would face the prospect of taking on Porto (9th) or Genk (10th) in the playoffs. As things stand, Young Boys (23rd) would take on whichever of those two teams the Hoops weren’t drawn against.

Then, if Celtic won that two-legged playoff tie, right now they would be paired in the round of 16 with either Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros (7th) or Real Betis (8th).

But all can still change. Celtic sit 24th on eight points but if they win, could still finish as high as 19th. Their goal difference – currently -4 – means they are unlikely to be able to end higher up the table than that.