DODGING QUALIFIERS OFFERS ANGE A TRANQUIL SUMMER

FOR the first time in over a decade, Celtic can now look forward to automatic qualification into next season’s Champions League. It will be such a relief for Ange Postecoglou and the players. On top of actually winning the league title, it’s a really nice boost to have that to look forward to as well. I know that from my own experience. It always felt like such a slog when you’re coming back into a really early pre-season to go through the qualifiers.

Sometimes you could be looking at three rounds of them just to reach the group stage. It became such a struggle for the club over many years. Not because they lacked the quality. But because the games came so early in the season that Celtic inevitably just weren’t up to full fitness or sharpness. Automatic qualification will also be a real game-changer for the club in terms of how they can approach the transfer market this summer. We’ve seen it so often in the past when there would be uncertainty hanging over the futures of some key players. Just look at the past couple of years and the way things panned out with the likes of Kris Ajer, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard. It always seemed like these players might be willing to stay if the club could secure Champions League football. If being the key word, of course. But, the thing is, you were never certain of that until midway through August. So it brings a lot of uncertainty to the squad even when the season has started. Celtic won’t have to worry about that this summer. The players know they have Champions League football ahead. It will also help Postecoglou attract new players to the club. They know they will be rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite in just a few months. So it should be a summer of calm, continuity and confidence at Celtic. Makes a hell of a difference from the summer of 12 months ago, does it not?