Celtic’s latest Europa League journey is going to be an interesting one.
On the one hand, Celtic fans don’t want to be here because it’s the Champions League everyone craves, and the club made a horlicks of that this summer.
But, on the other hand, Celtic have a chance of winning the Europa League, because it is more of a level playing field when it comes to quality.
On Wednesday evening, Celtic recorded a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade, and the CBS Sports panel in America discussed the champions of Scotland to interesting effect.
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesCeltic ‘should be in the Champions League’
Former USMNT international Charlie Davies referenced Celtic’s defeat to Kairat Almaty in August, and how they ‘should be in the Champions League.’
But Davies questioned if this will now be a ‘blessing in disguise’ for Brendan Rodgers and his players, because it is a drop down for them and a better chance of making a ‘deep run.’
“You have got to remember Celtic, the reason they are in this competition, is because they lost on pens to Kairat Almaty,” said Davies.
“When you think about that club. This is a win Celtic should have had. They should be in the Champions League. They were expected to win.
“Now they drop down. It might be a blessing in disguise. If they perform well, then this is a competition they should make a deep run in.”
But fellow CBS pundit Nico Cantor and former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker discussed how far Celtic can go in the competition.
Cantor interestingly brought up Scotland’s coefficient and how it has taken a massive hit in recent years.
And whilst it might be a very unpopular take, he thinks this is where the Scottish teams competing in Europe need to ‘unite’ to boost their coefficient once more.
“They have to, for the sake of the coefficient,” said Cantor.
“I feel like, for the first time, the last couple of seasons, actually, I feel Scottish football has to be united in really hoping their clubs progress further.
“Over the last couple of years, they have had poor performances and poor results. You can’t lose to Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off. This team needed to be in the Champions League.”
Reo-Coker: “The financial gain of that as well.”
Cantor: “Both Celtic and Rangers need to have good Europa Leagues. I am talking about a cheeky quarter-final or a semi-final.”
Reo-Coker: “A semi-final, at least.”
Cantor: “This is a tournament that they can challenge, and they need to do so, in order for their coefficient to be higher.”