Celtic’s most successful manager in the old Champions League format assesses Brendan Rodgers’ chances of making the knock-out rounds this season in the new format after a favourable draw yesterday in Monaco…
Gordon Strachan has been discussing Celtic’s upcoming Champions League adventure after his form club were handed a terrific draw, avoiding some of the continents heavyweight teams and landing plum home ties against Club Brugge, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys as well as having an eye-catching trip to Villa Park to look forward to.
Speaking to topoffshorecasinos.com, Strachan couldn’t hide his excitement at the revamped competition and explained how the new format could help Celtic reach the knock-out stages, something current manager Brendan Rodgers hasn’t been able to achieve during two spells managing the club. He also offered Brendan some qualification advice and that’s advice worth listening to, given’s success in the Champions League with Celtic, with a squad more limited than the current crop going into the season 2024/25 competition.
Gordon Strachan on revamped Champions League
“I’m quite looking forward to seeing the new changes in the Champions League. When I’ve watched it over the last few seasons, it was getting to the stage where I actually thought that the group stage was getting a bit boring, to be honest with you.
“It was a bit like here we go again. More of the same. Sometimes people don’t like change, but I think change has been good for the competition over the years, so I’m pleased they’ve looked at it. it’s nice that UEFA have changed it again. I’m looking forward to it starting properly in September,” the former Celtic manager said.
On Celtic breaking their Champions League hoodoo and making the KO rounds
“In theory, you’d think that this could make progressing to the KO rounds a wee bit easier because there are more games and more opportunities to win. An extra home game at Celtic Park with the atmosphere that the fans can create will be a massive boost for the club.
“Most of the teams in the tournament will play at a high standard. There are some great, giant teams in there too. I think what Celtic need to do in the Champions League is exactly what Scotland did when they qualified for the European Championships, you need one major scalp under your belt. If you can do that, then you’ll have a chance.
“Scotland got theirs against Spain. In the old format, my (Celtic) teams got a couple in the group stages. We beat AC Milan; we beat Man United. Those were special nights.,” Strachan recalled fondly.
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