The Champions League or Europa League Debate: Celtic’s European Crossroads
Michael Stewart’s question about whether Celtic would be better off in the Europa League rather than the Champions League is the kind of comment that might seem thought-provoking on the surface but falls apart under closer inspection. It’s a discussion that cuts right to the heart of Celtic’s footballing identity, their aspirations, and the very essence of what it means to be part of European football’s elite stage.
Let’s set the scene: Celtic had a memorable Champions League campaign this season, progressing past the league phase under UEFA’s revamped format — a significant achievement in itself — before narrowly falling to Bayern Munich in the play-off round, thanks to a gut-wrenching stoppage-time goal from Alphonso Davies. It was heartbreak, yes, but it was also a performance that showed that Celtic were no longer just participants; they were competitors. They belonged.
Then comes Stewart, raising his hypothetical scenario to a panel of Alan Hutton, Darrell Currie, and Neil Lennon. He asked: given the changes to UEFA’s competition structure, would it make more sense for Celtic to skip a Champions League season altogether in favour of a run in the Europa League — a competition they might actually win?
It was a question that, understandably, drew blank stares and even laughter. “It’s got to be Champions League,” said Currie, almost dumbfounded by the idea. Hutton quickly echoed the same sentiment. And Neil Lennon — someone who has lived those massive European nights as both a player and manager — gave a composed but emphatic response. The Champions League, he said, is the “blue ribbon” event. The elite stage. The one competition that elevates every aspect of your football club, from the players on the pitch to the financial power in the boardroom.
Why the Champions League is Non-Negotiable for Celtic
Let’s break it down. There are four core pillars that explain why Celtic would never — and should never — consider opting out of the Champions League in favour of the Europa League:
- Prestige and Identity
The Champions League is football’s grandest stage. For clubs like Celtic, with deep European roots — including that European Cup triumph in 1967 — the competition is as much about legacy as it is about results. Celtic have hosted football royalty at Parkhead. Think of the thunderous roar when the anthem hits, the floodlights, the green and white wall of sound — those nights are sacred.
Even if Celtic don’t go all the way, being there means something. It affirms their place in the hierarchy of European football. Playing against teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and PSG isn’t just a reward — it’s a statement. It reminds fans, players, and the wider footballing world that Celtic are a giant of the game, even if they operate from a smaller league.
- Financial Power
The money from the Champions League is staggering compared to the Europa League. For a club in the Scottish Premiership — where TV deals and domestic revenue pale in comparison to the English Premier League or La Liga — the Champions League isn’t just prestige, it’s a financial necessity.
Just reaching the group stage brings in tens of millions of pounds in prize money, matchday revenue, TV rights, and commercial boosts. It allows Celtic to invest in their squad, attract higher-calibre players, and strengthen their infrastructure. This in turn improves their chances of domestic dominance and better future performances in Europe.
By contrast, even a Europa League semi-final run wouldn’t come close to matching the financial benefits of a Champions League campaign that ends in the round of 16. The gap is massive.
- Player Development and Recruitment
Top players want to play in the Champions League. It’s the ultimate shop window and battleground for talent. For Celtic, being in the Champions League helps attract ambitious players from across Europe and beyond. When the club can promise that platform — when it can say, “Come to Parkhead and face Bayern Munich under the lights” — that’s a powerful recruitment tool.
And for the players already in the squad, those matches are how you improve. You test your skills against world-class opposition, learn under pressure, and grow in ways that a routine domestic fixture or even a Europa League knockout tie just can’t replicate. It sharpens players. It challenges managers. It forces tactical evolution.
Brendan Rodgers, for example, will have taken massive lessons from the Champions League this season — both in how to approach European away games, and in how to manage pressure at the highest level. Those lessons feed into domestic success and lay the groundwork for future European campaigns.
- The Celtic Support
This cannot be overstated: the Celtic support lives for Champions League nights. Celtic Park under the lights, packed to the rafters, is one of the most iconic sights in football. UEFA itself has called it one of the greatest atmospheres in the world. From the famous 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2012 to the electric clashes with Juventus, AC Milan, and Manchester City — those nights are etched into the DNA of the club.
No Europa League tie — no matter how competitive or even winnable — can replicate that. Winning the Europa League would be a wonderful achievement, yes. But ask any Celtic fan whether they’d trade the drama and excitement of a showdown with Bayern Munich or Real Madrid for a potential semi-final against Bodo/Glimt, and you’ll get the same answer: Champions League. Every time.
Could Celtic Compete in the Europa League Semi-Finals? Sure. But That’s Not the Point.
Stewart’s point about the current Europa League semi-final lineup — Spurs, Man United, Athletic Club, and Bodo/Glimt — is a fair one. None of those clubs are invincible. In fact, Celtic have faced all of them in recent history and, under the right circumstances, could have realistically pushed their way into that group.
But just because they could do well in the Europa League doesn’t mean they should give up the dream of Champions League progression. There’s a big difference between falling into the Europa League after a hard-fought Champions League campaign and choosing to bypass Europe’s top competition altogether. One is pragmatic. The other is defeatist.
Celtic should aim to build a squad capable of competing in the Champions League, not settling for second-tier success. And with the new UEFA format offering more flexibility and chances to progress, the opportunity to dream bigger has never been more real.
Final Thoughts: Champions League or Bust
In the end, Neil Lennon summed it up best: “The Champions League is the blue ribbon event.” It’s what every club aspires to. And for a club like Celtic — a club steeped in history, blessed with a passionate global fanbase, and driven by the dream of glory — the idea of choosing the Europa League instead is simply not in the DNA.
The challenge now is for Celtic to take the next step. They’ve proven they can hang with the best. The Bayern Munich tie proved that. Now it’s about building depth, continuing smart recruitment, and going even further next season. The dream isn’t to just participate — it’s to compete. To turn heartbreak into triumph. To write a new chapter in a long and proud European story.
Would Celtic fans enjoy a Europa League run? Of course. But if you asked them to choose? Champions League. Always.
Would you say this season marked a turning point in how Celtic approach Europe under Brendan Rodgers?