Celtic news: Pundit makes bold claim after new development
Celtic have a ‘real chance’ of qualification after being given more favorable fixtures in the Champions League compared to Rangers’ draw in the Europa League.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, ex-England international goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that Celtic could be an ‘outside bet’ in the race to qualify in the top eight of the new Champions League format.
The Scottish champions will face Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig, Club Bruges, and Young Boys at Celtic Park and travel to Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb, and Aston Villa.
In contrast, Rangers have to play Lyon, FCSB, Tottenham Hotspur, and Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox alongside tricky away fixtures at Malmo, Olympiacos, Nice, and Manchester United.
Celtic and Rangers face contrasting European journeys
The current champions were comfortable 3-0 winners in the first Old Firm derby of the season on Sunday, giving themselves a five-point cushion over bitter rivals Rangers.
“I think they’ve got a real chance do Celtic”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“I’m looking at their fixtures, at home to RB Leipzig which we know is going to be tough, but we all know what Celtic Park is like, it’s incredible.
“They’re at home to Club Bruges, in a one-off game you’d fancy Celtic, they’re at home to Young Boys, and at home to Slovan Bratislava.
“If they pick up maximum points at home and a couple of points on the road, it could be interesting for Celtic, they might be an outside bet to finish in the top eight.
“Outside bet I’m saying, not definite, but if you look at the other games, there a lot of big teams that can hurt each other.
“Celtic’s progression in the Champions League is going to rely on their home form, looking at their first four fixtures, they’ve got a real chance.”
In other news, McAvennie amazed by what Liam Scales did in Celtic win over Rangers.
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