Revealed: How Celtic Can Seal Champions League Knockouts

Celtic’s gritty performance and hard-earned 0-0 draw against Atalanta has reignited hopes for a successful Champions League run.

With momentum on their side, Brendan Rodgers’ team now finds themselves well-positioned to secure qualification for the knockout rounds, and data estimates suggest that 10 points could be the magic number to ensure progression.

According to Scotland Coefficient on Twitter, 9 points would likely be enough for Celtic to secure a 24th-place finish, while 10 points would guarantee qualification to the next round. With Celtic currently sitting on 4 points and 5 matches left to play—4 of which are against teams below them in the league—securing two more wins seems well within reach.

The financial rewards for reaching the knockout stages are significant. Celtic would pocket a €1 million bonus for qualification, with an additional €11 million on offer if they can win their knockout tie and advance to the last 16. Moreover, finishing 24th would earn the club a €3.58 million league ranking payment, which increases by €275k for each position they climb.

Celtic’s upcoming fixtures present golden opportunities to solidify their standing. First up is RB Leipzig at home, followed by Club Brugge at Celtic Park—two crucial matches where the backing of the Celtic fans could play a pivotal role in securing points. The home advantage will be crucial in building momentum and pushing the club closer to the 10-point mark.

Celtic will then Travel to face Dynamo Zagreb, a challenging away fixture but one that looks manageable given their current form. The group stage concludes with a home clash against Young Boys and a potentially defining trip to face Aston Villa. If Celtic can maintain their level of performance and take at least six points from these encounters, they would be on track to secure a place in the knockout rounds.