This is what Celtic fans have been waiting for.
The newly revamped Champions League format has worked in Celtic’s favour because it has put an end to the constant early exits during the tiring group stages.
It has allowed the Scottish champions to breathe a little easier in Europe’s elite competition and they have taken it with both hands.
Yes, it was nervy, but Celtic got the job done and secured their play-off ticket for the knockout phases with a game to spare.
Those scenes post the win over Young Boys is what the Parkhead faithful have been waiting for and now it’s about trying to make more history.
Celtic were pitted against Bayern Munich for a two-legged affair, starting next week, and it has made things very exciting.
But Gary Lineker had one issue with how everything was done.
Gary Lineker questions Champions League draw as Celtic pitted against Bayern Munich
It was going to be Bayern or Real Madrid, either way, it was a hugely difficult test for Celtic and now they know that they will face the giants of Germany.
But how the draw for the play-off was made, seeded teams pitted against unseeded teams, left Lineker confused and he questioned ‘I wonder why they have done it like this’ and not just the team in ninth playing the team who finished 24th.
The former striker told the Rest is Football that it’s probably so UEFA can ‘eek out an extra little TV show’, but he thinks the Celtic fans have a ‘huge occasion’ to look forward to.
I wonder why they have done it like this,” questioned Lineker about the Champions League draw. “It’s pretty stipulated down to two teams that you might play in this play-off stage.
“When you could have easily done it from ninth place (plays) 24th, so on and so forth. I don’t know. Maybe they just wanted to eek out an extra little TV show.
“That will be a huge occasion for the Celtic fans to get (Bayern Munich) at their ground and the winners, whoever gets through that play-off stage, will play Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. Some big ties ahead for Manchester City, Celtic, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Champions League play-off fixtures
Yes, UEFA revamped the Champions League format to make more money, but it was also done to pit the top teams against one another a lot more.
That was proven during the number of high-profile matches that took place during the league phase and now the same has happened during the play-off stages.
If Celtic get knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern, it will be no shame because one of Manchester City and Real Madrid will also be heading home early.
Brest v Paris Saint-Germain, Tuesday, 11th February (first leg, returns legs take place between 18/19 Feb)
Juventus v PSV Eindhoven, Tuesday, 11th February
Manchester City v Real Madrid, Tuesday, 11th February
Sporting Lisbon v Borussia Dortmund, Tuesday, 11th February
Club Brugge v Atalanta, Wednesday, 12th February
Celtic v Bayern Munich, Wednesday, 12th February
Feyenoord v AC Milan, Wednesday, 12th February
Monaco v Benfica, Wednesday, 12th February
