Stefan Borson: Celtic on verge of 'transformational' windfall
Celtic will experience a "huge" financial windfall should Martin O'Neill's side qualify for the Champions League this season.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that qualification would be "transformational" for the Hoops in 2026-27.
O'Neill's side toppled Hearts to finish top of the Scottish Premiership last term, meaning they would be competing for Champions League qualification.
Stood in their way is Austrian side LASK, whom they beat 3-0 at Celtic Park in the first leg of the play-off final on Wednesday, 19 August.
Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring in style before new signing Camilo Duran netted a brace, sending the supporters berserk in Scotland.
While the challenge of a second-leg fixture remains, it is difficult to see anything other than the Hoops playing in the Champions League this season.
Champions League football would be 'transformational'
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson explained that qualifying for the competition could see them earn upwards of £40million.
"It's just totally transformational. The only question is how you manage the difference between being in the Champions League and not being in the Champions League," he said.
"It's from a budgetary perspective and a planning perspective, and whether you can react to it quickly enough so that you can spend some of that money.
"The money they generate from the Champions League on the side can give them the ability to compete and also to be more successful in your domestic league.
"Can you do that quickly enough? It's quite hard to do the planning in a way that's safe and the buying and the selling that's safe.
"But the more you can have Champions League, it makes a huge difference. You're talking about a £30m-£40m difference."
Could Celtic sign anyone else this summer?
Despite splashing out on Camilo, Kasper Hogh, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur, there is still plenty of business to be done.
The likes of Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels leaving have helped fund some of these transfers, and there could be even more to come with Champions League qualification.
Of course, with the second leg taking place on Tuesday, 25 August, there will be limited time to get deals across the line, but not impossible.
Football Insider understands that Celtic are set to submit a big-money offer for Gvidas Gineitis of Torino. Clearly, the Hoops are trying to spend the money before the windfall hits.